1. Changing states: Crossing the boundaries between academic and workplace settings for international students in medical education
Ms Jennifer Lindley
Dr Juanita Fernando
The 6th Jakarta Meeting on Medical Education
December 6- 8, 2013

2. Background
Monash MBBS program provides an option for an elective research year for students at an honours level
To date 8 cohorts of international students have undertaken this one year program in Australia
Experiences of students undertaking study in overseas settings is well documented
International students undertaking the research year cross transnational boundaries and also move from academic settings into research workplaces

3. Aim
To explore the perspectives of international students undertaking a research year in an Australian undergraduate medicine program
To identify key elements that contribute to the ability of international students to successfully complete a research intensive year of study

4. Methodology
Only international students undertaking a research project year were included
Qualitative data was collected using focus group discussions
Data was collected from 5 cohorts comprising a total of 80 students
Students were asked to reflect upon their needs to successfully complete the research year
Students were asked to use Maslow’s hierarchy as a framework to ‘rank’ their self-identified needs

5. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
McLeod, S. A. (2007). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - Simply Psychology. Retrieved from

6. Data Thesis (completion) More coffee/cakes Highest order needs Luck
Specific knowledge & skills
Critical friends
Relevant academic literature
Writing skills Presentation skills Communication skills
Computer / Internet / Software Data Coffee / Sweets Ethics Approval
Data
Results
Space
Skills
Motivation
Knowledge
Research skills Technical/Practical skills
Family Time
Fundamental needs
Project
Supervisor

7. Analysis Thesis (completion) More coffee/cakes Luck
Self -Actualization
Specific knowledge & skills
Critical friends
Relevant academic literature
Writing skills Presentation skills Communication skills
Self esteem
Computer / Internet / Software Data Coffee / Sweets Ethics Approval
Data
Results
Safety
Space
Skills
Motivation
Knowledge
Research skills Technical/Practical skills
Physiological
Family Time
Belonging
Project
Supervisor

8. Analysis OVERSEAS LOCATION HOME LOCATION Research environment
MEDIATED BY NEEDS
HOME LOCATION
Research
environment
Academic environment
MEDIATED BY NEEDS
Academic environment
Clinical
environment
Clinical
environment

9. Discussion
Students were able to identify a range of personal and professional needs that they deemed significant for a research year.
Needs correlated to the chronological process of undertaking the research year
Research environments have specific ways of working that differ to academic and clinical settings
Access to a suitable project and a quality supervisor were seen as a key need for success
For international students, needs associated with belonging appear to be the most fundamental

10. Conclusion
International students can articulate a range of needs that support successful outcomes for research based study/learning which are mediated by a hierarchy of needs
These needs can be categorised as addressing changes across two broad domains:
Transition across transnational boundaries into a different academic setting
Moving into a research workplace environment
Needs for undertaking a research based year of study are different to those required for conventional academic study
International students face a more complex process to accommodate these challenges

11. Thank you
Questions?