Associate Professor Mike Keller

1
University Culture

• Associate Professor Mike Keller
• Associate Dean (International)

2
From where do you come?

• Adelaide
• Elsewhere in South Australia
• Another Australian state
• Asia and the Pacific
• Europe
• The Americas
• Africa
• Another place

3
Culture

• Culture is a shared set pattern of beliefs,
  attitudes, values and traditions that are widely
  held by a community
• Personal food, clothing, accommodation, religion
• Social customs, values, manners, work ethic,
  etc. ?
  Assumptions
• Language ?
  Communication and miscommunication

4
Dimensions of human behaviour

• Universal shared by all people in all groups
• Cultural attributes that a particular group
  have in common that distinguish them from other
  groups
• Personal ways in which each person is different

5
Culture is like an iceberg
6
University Culture

• The University is a community of active learners
• Students participate actively, honestly, and
  positively in the learning and teaching
  environment
• The University of Adelaide is a proudly
  multicultural community

7
Benefits of cultural engagement

• Ability to work in a range of environments
• Ability to adapt to other cultures

8
Some cultural guidelines

• Respect others and treat them equitably
• Treat others with courtesy
• Show sensitivity to, and tolerance of,
  differences
• Engage with others

9
If you are an Australian or International student

• Be aware of you own cultural influences
• Try to avoid judging other people according to
  the standards of you own culture
• Avoid making assumptions about cultural
  influences
• Beliefs and behaviour vary considerably within
  communities
• Dont apply generalisations to individuals
• Not all people identify with their cultural or
  religious background

10
If you are an international student

• Be aware of local attitudes, customs and
  conventions

11
It is likely that many other students feel the
same as you do

• Happy
• Excited
• Lonely or homesick
• Alienated
• Overwhelmed
• Worried or confused

12
In the classroom

• Attend lectures, tutorials and practicals
• Be prepared
• Learn to listen
• Identify main points and concepts
• Keep an open mind
• Be receptive to new concepts, ideas and points of
  view
• Engage
• Raise your hand to ask a question or to join the
  discussion

13
Seek help if needed

• Student counsellors
• Faculty Office
• School Offices
• Academic staff
• Make an appointment
• Another sympathetic student