Online Support System for Transnational Education

TL;DR

This paper introduces an online support system designed to assist transnational students studying in Australia by providing educational modules, quizzes, and automated assistance to address cultural, academic, and logistical challenges.

Contribution

It proposes a comprehensive online platform combining educational content and automated help to support international students' adaptation and success in a new cultural and academic environment.

Findings

Supports students with timely advice and resources

Addresses cultural and academic misunderstandings

Enhances student integration and well-being

Abstract

The number of students who travel abroad to study or are enrolled in a distance learning program outside their home country is growing. According to UNESCO, such students are called internationally mobile students (IMSs) and 5 destination countries accounted for almost 50% of IMSs: United States (18%), United Kingdom (11%), France (7%), Australia (6%), and Germany (5%). Internationalisation of the higher education has created the so-called borderless university, providing better opportunities for learning and increases the human and social sustainability. In this paper, we propose an online system to support transnational education (TNE) in Australia. This system will consist of both an online module and quiz, and an automated assistance module. The first part will ensure that students understand TNE-related potential problems, such as the importance of submission deadlines, and provide students early hints and help to avoid the TNE-related problems. The second part will provide assistance with general issues related to studying and living in Australia, and more specific ones tailored to a specific institution. The ability to provide an immediate response when required will help overcome feelings of isolation, and provide appropriate advice on matters such as plagiarism and related issues, many of which arise from misunderstandings due to divergent cultural backgrounds and a lack of awareness about differences in socio-cultural environments.