JapaneseCustomer.com is proud to present a new documentary.
Launched today in Tokyo, the documentary details the four year study experience of a Japanese student in Australia. Titled, Gaman - A Student's journey.The documentary is the first holistic profile of an international students study experience showing their life before study in their home country, their life during study in Australia and their life after study when they return home to Japan.
Gaman - A Japanese Student's Four Year Journey in Australia
Launched today in Tokyo, the documentary details the four year study experience of a Japanese student in Australia. Titled, Gaman - A Student's journey.The documentary is the first holistic profile of an international students study experience showing their life before study in their home country, their life during study in Australia and their life after study when they return home to Japan.
Gaman - A Japanese Student's Four Year Journey in Australia
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Q: Why did you make the documentary?
A: I made this documentary for three reasons 1. To discover the students side of the international education experience. We get a lot of hype about student numbers, how big the industry is, how international education is growing from the media. So I wanted to find out for myself. 2. Having been involved in international education for over twenty years I wanted to discover what happens when a student takes their new qualification home, how do they use it, how is it accepted. I wanted to see the whole process of international education from start to finish. For example: what do students do before study in their home country, how they prepare. What makes them want to study in a foreign country. What do they leave behind. How do they adjust to a new culture? What do they do when they get home? How does study impact their life, career, etc. and thirdly to highlight that international education is now a global industry with many competitors. Those who manage it well will win share. It is not just an extension of local education but a whole new profession that involves a wide range of professional skills and expertise.
Q: Why did you make the documentary?
A: I made this documentary for three reasons 1. To discover the students side of the international education experience. We get a lot of hype about student numbers, how big the industry is, how international education is growing from the media. So I wanted to find out for myself. 2. Having been involved in international education for over twenty years I wanted to discover what happens when a student takes their new qualification home, how do they use it, how is it accepted. I wanted to see the whole process of international education from start to finish. For example: what do students do before study in their home country, how they prepare. What makes them want to study in a foreign country. What do they leave behind. How do they adjust to a new culture? What do they do when they get home? How does study impact their life, career, etc. and thirdly to highlight that international education is now a global industry with many competitors. Those who manage it well will win share. It is not just an extension of local education but a whole new profession that involves a wide range of professional skills and expertise.
Q: What made you focus on a Japanese student?
A: I focused on a Japanese student for a number of reasons. In the 90's I undertook study abroad in Japan as an international student and I wanted to see what it was like from the Japanese student perspective. Secondly, having worked with international students in the United States, England, New Zealand, Australia and Japan over the past twenty years, Japanese students were so unique. When I say unique, I mean they have distinct learning needs compared to other cultures, for example: they have a different learning style, look at skills first and the piece of paper second. From a teachers perspective they bring a new point of view to a class, mix well with other cultures and are hard workers which is refreshing.
Q: What do you think draws Japanese students to Australian education institutions?
A: The environment, Australia is a relatively safe destination, the quality of our education and is an English speaking country close to Japan.
Q: How will this documentary contribute to international education?
A: It can contribute to our understanding of all the steps a student undertakes during international study, show the complexities of culture (before, during and after study) and increase our understanding and management of the Japanese student experience.
Q: What was the most interesting thing you learned making this documentary?
A: The most interesting thing I learned was that Japanese people rarely have their name incorrectly spelt in Japan because people take great care to get it 100% correct. Yet in Australia a student can get a whole range of variations and interpretations and that just drives them to distraction.
Q: Who is the documentary aimed at?
A: The documentary is primarily aimed at key decision makers in international education namely, government, education institutions and private companies who are the key stakeholders in the industry. A secondary market is the support staff who manage the day to day life of an international student, for example: student recruiters, career staff, ESL teachers, homestay providers, teaching unions, human resource departments who train staff who work with international students and front line admission staff.
Q:What would you like the documentary to achieve?
A: To increase awareness about the international student experience from the students perspective. Warts and all! To develop the management of international education and show Australia's skills to the world.
Q: How do Japanese employers perceive Australian qualifications?
A: That's a good question. You will have to watch the movie to answer that one. Personally, I think they react favourably to Australian qualifications.
Q: What has the reaction been from Japanese students
A: We have had really positive feedback more than we expected. Many students were surprised why we took the time to understand them. A lot of people who have seen the film cried during the film or at the end. I take that as the film really connected with them and brought back their own experiences.
Q: Australian international education is now a 10 billion dollar industry are education institutions set up for this growth and competition?
A: Yes, I think Australia has a great opportunity to take the lead in international education and Australian education provides such a wide array of skills that would be of great benefit to international students from around the world particularly those in Asia.
Q: What is your next project?
A: We have a project that delves a little deeper into Japanese culture
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