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Drawing from a study that explored how international students experience cross-cultural transitions after living and studying in Melbourne for a few years, this paper, in particular, examines the participants' experiences with culture shock, social interaction, and friendship development. The findings include narratives of their personal stories and perspectives on social engagement and friendship ties with a particular focus on variables including cultural similarity, intercultural communication competence, intercultural friendship, and relational identity to influence their experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an evaluation of the transition stages of “development assistance program” (DAP) international students (IS) at a large Australian research university. This group has different backgrounds that suggest distinct transition issues compared with students from wealthier families and/or more industrialized nations. We argue that a more circumspect “stakeholder” approach may be useful when investigating such programmes. Stakeholder theory offers a broader platform upon which to identify and realize mutual long-term interests. Using survey-based student self-reports, we analyse longitudinal quantitative data to examine developmental changes and interrelationships between various adjustment pathways. The results inform strategies for both staff and students to manage these transitions, especially by increasing students’ sense of control and predictability. The findings may assist other academics and administrators to enhance a range of IS programmes, and shed some light on some specific challenges and successes of DAP students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unprecedented internationalization of organizations in the past two decades has made the need for cross-cultural awareness, appreciation and understanding in the daily operations of international businesses increasingly prevalent. In both academic circles and the popular press much has been written about the need for individuals to be cross-culturally sensitive, adaptive and responsive when managing across national borders. One of the key aspects identified in literature as contributing towards achieving cross-cultural sensitivity of expatriates is correct selection, pre-departure and post-arrival training and in situ support for the expatriate and his/her family. The research presented in this paper examines the selection, training and support of Australian expatriates in China, a nation that has loomed large in the current and future trading and expansion plans of many Australian corporations since it opened its doors to international commerce in the late 1970s. Based on information gathered through semi-structured interviews conducted with expatriate Australians in Shanghai in 1999 and 2001, the results of this research indicate that, while organizations are recognizing the need to employ Australians who have prior China knowledge, organizational preparation remains negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on the personal experience of the author who had been employed as a Youth Arts Manager in a small, desert town in the Northern Territory. In her research honours study during the project for which she was engaged, she aimed to understand the tensions she experienced managing this partnership. Now, five years later, she reconsidered the experience and, placing the concept of culture shock at the forefront of her perspective, came to see the experience in a new light. Kate proposes that understanding protocols is a process embodiment that may be affected by the experience of culture shock, and secondly, that creative processes can be reduced neither to process nor product. Rather, with a clear understanding of aims and objectives as they relate to context, from community development can fruitful artistic partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study explored the issues facing young Vietnamese who have a sibling with an illicit drug addiction and the coping strategies that they and their families employ. This paper concentrated on the results from interviews/focus groups of Vietnamese parents and young people. There were some areas of commonality between the responses of the parent and youth cohorts. Issues of shame, guilt, grief and lack of support were raised by both groups. The reactions of parents and siblings change over time, as the negative impact of the user's behaviour intensified and family systems become strained. There were significant differences in the responses of the two cohorts in relation to parental behaviour. The youth cohort generally was critical of parental behaviour towards both children who are using illicit drugs and their non-using siblings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author explores issues and challenges associated with the cultural fluency skills of non-Indigenous Australian Public Service (APS) officials. Topics discussed include the social and economic impact of being resilient and culturally fluent on the Indigenous population in Australia, the social anxiety which may be attributed to cultural differences, characteristics of the four stages of culture shock such as honeymoon, regression, adjustment, and recovery, and the importance of learning and utilizing the language of a particular Australian culture.

This study examines the important role of humor in the effective new-country and new-organization adjustment of professionally-skilled immigrants in Australia. Interviews were conducted with a diverse group of immigrants and native-born Australians working in a large state-owned university. Humor was found to be a key factor in promoting the effective adjustment and emotional wellbeing of the immigrants. The nature of humor, however, and what was considered 'funny' was found to be distinctly different amongst the immigrants and the host-country Australians. Australian styles of humor were generally considered 'un-funny' by the immigrants. Many of the immigrants valued home-culture humor on par with home-culture food. The immigrants that did not have social interactions with people from their home-cultures reported having considerable personal difficulties adjusting in Australia and expressed their desire for sharing a familiar sense of humor. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in relation to the adjustment literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes some of the cultural shocks Asian students experience both living in Australia and studying at Australian schools. It describes the transitions the Asian students face in the style of learning and presenting ideas. It suggests that culture shock is an inevitable part of students' experience in immersion programmes which should be perceived and involved as a part of the learning process.