A/Prof. Beatrice Trefalt1, Dr Bodean Hedwards1, Dr Jeremy Breaden1, A/Prof Andy Jackson1, Dr Hui Huang1, Ms Natassia Bell1, Ms Elicia O’Reilly1
1 Monash University
In recent years, student mobility has moved away from the traditional ‘semester abroad’ model to include a wider variety of experiences, including short study tours, workplace internships and language intensives. This diversification has had important benefits for student: work-integrated learning opportunities have grown, and short-term study abroad has allowed greater and more equitable access to an overseas study experience. At the same time, the trend raises questions on the ability of short-term programs to provide a sound basis for in-depth learning, threatening the kind of comprehensive knowledge required for area studies in the Humanities especially. This panel discussion builds on the 2019 Japan Foundation report on recent trends in student mobility to Japan, but broadens the reflection out to Asian Studies in general. To what extent does short-term mobility threaten, or enhance, our students’ knowledge of Asia and the future of Asian studies in Australia?