The most significant population movement affecting Australia in recent years has been a dramatic growth in the number of short term arrivals. Within these arrivals overseas students have become prominent, given the rapid expansion of Australia's 'export education' industry throughout the past decade. By 1994, 87,000 overseas students were studying in Australia - the vast majority of these Asian in origin. While a substantial literature has evolved concerning overseas students' temporary migration and settlement, there has been only limited demographic analysis undertaken to date, including minimal attempt to explore the participation and specific student experience of women. This paper seeks to address this omission through presentation of a detailed analysis of the characteristics of Asian female students within the overall student movement, together with a preliminary exploration of issues related to their personal and academic transition. © 1995 Springer Science+Business Media.

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education cultural anthropology Australia population Migrants demography Population Dynamics Ethnic Groups ethnic group Developed Countries Temporary Migration Immigrants--women Asians student Oceania Cultural Background Pacific islands Article migration developed country population and population related phenomena Demographic Factors Emigration and Immigration Students Transients and Migrants Population Characteristics Culture