Abstract-Several researchers have reported that cultural and language differences can affect online interactions and communications between students from different cultural backgrounds. Other researchers have asserted that online learning is a tool that can improve teaching and learning skills, but its effectiveness depends on how the tool is used. To delve into these aspects further, this study set out to investigate the kinds of learning difficulties encountered by the international Asian students, in particular Malaysian students and how they actually coped with online learning. The modified Online Learning Environment Survey (OLES) instrument was used to collect data from the sample of 76 students at a university in Brisbane. A smaller group of 35 Australian students was also included for comparison purposes. Contrary to assumptions from previous research, the findings revealed that there were only few differences between the international Asian students from Malaysia and Australian students with regards to their perceptions of online learning. Recommendations based on the findings of this research study were made for Australian universities where Asian international students from Malaysia study online. Specifically the recommendations highlighted the importance of upskilling of lecturers' ability to structure their teaching online and to apply strong theoretical underpinnings when designing learning activities such as discussion forums, and for the university to establish a degree of consistency with regards to how content is located and displayed in a learning management system like Blackboard.Index Terms-Asian international students, online learning, online learning environments, online learning environment survey (OLES), Net Gen, support for learning.

This study extends previous research by examining the mental health issues of international mainland Chinese college students in Thailand. The research specifically proposed that mental health issues originate from the relationship between life adaptation and mental health disorders, and this study was conducted to test this assertion. Nine hundred international mainland Chinese college students in Thailand participated in an online survey. The results showed that life adaptation in respect of family relationships, interpersonal relationships, emotions, and learning had a positive effect on mental health disorders and that female and junior students who stayed in Thailand for 1 to 2 years were likely to have significant mental health issues.

Several researchers have reported that cultural and language differences can affect online interactions and communications between students from different cultural backgrounds. Other researchers have asserted that online learning is a tool that can improve teaching and learning skills, but its effectiveness depends on how the tool is used. To delve into these aspects further, this study set out to investigate the kinds of learning difficulties encountered by international students and how they actually coped with online learning. The modified Online Learning Environment Survey (OLES) instrument was used to collect data from the sample of 109 international students at a university in Brisbane, Australia. A smaller group of 35 domestic students was also included for comparison purposes. Contrary to assumptions from previous research, the findings revealed that there were only a few differences between the international Asian and Australian students with regards to their perceptions of online learning.

In recent years, there has been various research on Chinese international students. This research aimed to understand Chinese parents’ consciousness of the difficulties Chinese children experienced and their coping strategies in Thailand. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with the parents was adopted. Participants were 9 Chinese families whose children aged 3 to 6 enrolled in a private international kindergarten located in Bangkok. Results revealed that interaction adjustment, school environment, and cultural adjustment are common difficulties encountered by Chinese mothers and children. Additionally, results showed that: extracurricular activities and frequent interaction with peers can help children reduce stress and accelerate adaptation.