Issues in helping students from other cultures

This paper reviews some of the research highlighting evidence of problems associated with studying overseas. Issues such as problems with daily living, being in the classroom and dealing with differences in the academic system are identified. The issue of studying in another culture is considered and problems of differences of perceptions between teachers and students are noted. The paper closes with some suggestions of how teachers in universities might improve their skills in helping such students. Given that the paper has to have a 'position', the assumption is that the students, in question, are coming to 'western' countries to study. The principles also apply in many other contexts and the reader must make this adjustment, as necessary.