Drifting in the lucky country: Japanese students and working holiday makers in southeast Queensland

Horikawa, Tomoko (2002). Drifting in the lucky country: Japanese students and working holiday makers in southeast Queensland M.A. Thesis, Dept. of Asian Languages and Studies, The University of Queensland.

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Author Horikawa, Tomoko
Thesis Title Drifting in the lucky country: Japanese students and working holiday makers in southeast Queensland
School, Centre or Institute Dept. of Asian Languages and Studies
Institution The University of Queensland
Publication date 2002-04-15
Thesis type M.A. Thesis
Total pages 140
Language eng
Subjects 150606 Tourist Behaviour and Visitor Experience
Formatted abstract Young Japanese people are coming to Australia in unprecedented numbers. Backed by the strong yen and Japan's kokusaika or internationalisation boom, more and more young Japanese are leaving Japan. The Australian government's policies since the late 1980s to market its educational services to overseas students and the introduction of the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program between Australia and Japan in 1980, as well as a perception of Australia as a country with a mild climate, natural beauties and a relaxed atmosphere, have been attracting many young Japanese people to Australia. Based on interviews conducted with 38 Japanese students and WHMs in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, this thesis examines the presence of Japanese youth in Australia, with a focus on their motivations for coming to Australia and their experiences after arrival.

Among the Japanese students and WHMs interviewed for this study, a great diversity exists in their backgrounds, their motivations and their experiences in Australia. However, generally speaking, these young Japanese people came to Australia without clear objectives, and simply because life in Australia seemed more fun and a better alternative than their life in Japan. They are primarily interested in having a short-term change in life style and a temporary break from Japanese society, and they stay in Australia as though they were on an extended holiday. They live comfortably in this country without encountering culture shock or any other adjustment problems. At the same time, they show little interest in socialising with the local people or learning about the local culture and society. They experience Australia only at a superficial level, and return to Japan without having any real contact with Australian people or gaining a real understanding and appreciation of Australian culture and society.
Keyword Japanese -- Australia.
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