Indonesian postgraduate students studying in Australia: An examination of their social and cultural experiences

Prior studies suggest that adjustment is a significant contributor to the academic success of international students, and cultural differences can lead to adjustment problems. However, while Australia takes many international students from Indonesia, and there are substantial cultural differences between Indonesia and Australia, there has been little research on the adjustment of Indonesian students in Australia. The study investigates the adjustment experiences of 25 Indonesian postgraduate students (8 female, 17 male) studying in universities in Victoria, Australia, using an open-ended questionnaire. The results confirm the importance of cultural issues in the adjustment process, particularly in relation to classroom interaction and student-teacher relationships. The main problems faced by the Indonesian students concern the use of academic English, and Australian academic requirements, and the lack of specific facilities for Muslim students. The study suggests recommendations for improvements in pre-departure training programs and degree programs in Australia. International education, Indonesia, Australia, cultural differences, adjustment, postgraduate student