ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews literature on international students within the Australian higher education sector. Many socio-psychological and intercultural scholars have analysed the effects of crossing cultures on the adjustment and identity formation processes of international students. Australia has a rich history as an intercultural contact zone and the purpose of this section is to provide a review of studies on international students and their intercultural learning experience by extending Harman's (2005) substantial literature review of Australia's internationalisation of higher education to 2010. Such processes are regarded as forms of cultural learning process where rules and norms of a foreign socio-cultural system have to be learned in order to experience greater ease of adjustment, improved self-esteem, and to lower stress and a sense of loneliness. The presence of international students enhances the diversity of the Australian university student population and thus provides benefits that are highly esteemed by the Australian academic cultures and leadership.
