PREPARING COUNSELLORS FOR MALAYSIAN STUDENTS ACCULTURATION

Australia has been one of the foreign countries with most Malaysian students since 2002. The involved students are required to undergo an acculturation process that is known to have full of challenges while living in Australia. Counselling services play a social role that provides support for them to survive to live abroad. This study was preliminarily aimed to explore the challenges of living in Australia and the extent to which counselling is necessary for the students to endure acculturation challenges faced in the country. The study employed a qualitative method using a phenomenological approach. Researchers conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample who was a Malaysian student that fulfils the criteria of having experience studying in an Australian university for a minimum duration of two years. The data from the interview was analysed using thematic analysis comprising open coding, axial coding, matrix coding, and theme. Findings highlighted fivethemes to answer two research questions in this study. Two themes addressed the challenges faced by Malaysian students which are the differences in the academic system and differences in climate. Three other themes addressed the need for student counselling services which are an effective medium of communication, personal development and academic advisor. This study provided a clear picture of overall challenges while living in Australia as a student and the importance students may benefit from counsellor‟s presence. Sponsorship organisations such as Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and JabatanPerkhidmatanAwam Malaysia (JPA) may improve the content of abroad study programmes. Future researchers may consider conducting further studies in different and broader contexts.