Stepping forward to learn: Thai students reflect on hosting Australian international exchange students

The value of international student exchange programs is well documented – from the perspective of visiting students and sending institutions. This paper reports on research that aimed to capture different perspectives by talking with host Thai students who interacted with and translated for visiting Australian social work students. This focus on the exchange experience from the perspective of the hosting Thai students foregrounds these seldom-heard voices, highlighting the benefits of engagement and reflective learning for host students and institutions. The analysed data shows that there are numerous opportunities for host students to benefit from international exchange and to develop the attitudes, knowledge and skills that are necessary prerequisites for intercultural learning and sensitivity. The paper illustrates the high demands on hosts and can inform good practice in the planning and design of exchange programs

'Mutual benefit' in international student exchange: possibilities and challenges

During the past twenty years the number of schools of social work engaged in international student exchange activity has increased exponentially. The value of such exchanges especially for visiting students of the North is well documented. However reflective critiques of student exchange programs have also identified the likelihood that such exchanges are unilateral, one-sided and one-way, providing little opportunity for students in host institutions to engage meaningfully in the exchange process or to gain substantial benefit. Unless addressed these issues position international student exchanges as perpetuating "pretentious internationalisation" and "benevolent imperialism" (Racek, 2002). \ud \ud Since 2011 the Department of Social Work and Human Services at James Cook University in Australia and the Office of International Affairs at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University in Thailand have worked together to facilitate student and faculty exchange between the institutions. Central to the partnership has been a commitment to mutual benefit and reciprocity. This presentation describes the approaches which have facilitated a realisation of these commitments and the challenges to such aspirations. \ud \ud The findings of collaborative research which explored the perspectives of both visiting and hosting students in both institutions are also described. Both groups of students’ highlighted the increased awareness of their home countries culture and issues, an improved understanding of other cultures and an enhanced appreciation of the commonalities between cultures. Strategies for furthering international exchanges are discussed with a particular emphasis on developing real reciprocity and enhancing the benefit to all students involved

Developing Teachers’ Learning Management Competency through the Process of Coaching and Mentoring to Enhance the English Proficiency of Primary School Students in Small Schools in Soeng Sang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand

This research has two main objectives: 1) to develop the coaching and mentoring process to improve teachers' learning management competence that will improve students' English proficiency and 2) to study the results of this coaching and mentoring process. The research process was divided into two phases: the first phase was the development of the orientation and tutoring process to improve the learning management competence of teachers. The research instrument was the evaluation form of the coaching and mentoring process called "TOCM Process" and the second phase was the study of the coaching and mentoring process to improve the learning management competence of teachers. This research was carried out in four main stages that were planning, action, observation and reflection. The target group for this research was five small schools in Soengsang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. The results of the evaluation of the suitability and feasibility of the TOCM Process were considered adequate and feasible at a high level

International student exchange in Australian social work education

International student exchange is pursued by Australian schools of social work as a strategy to engage with the internationalisation agenda set by government, universities, and the profession. However, little concrete information about the nature and scope of these activities exists. The study reported here aimed to address this gap. Twenty-seven of the 30 Australian universities that offer social work programs participated in an online survey about international student exchange activities. The results indicate that a majority of schools (n = 23) do engage in such activities, with international field placements the most frequent form of exchange. Exchanges are most likely to be facilitated and managed by social work staff. The findings, and their implications for the development of good practice in international student exchange, are discussed. This research provides a "point-in-time" snapshot of international exchange in Australian social work education and a benchmark for future analyses of this expanding practice in the profession