scholarly journals ‘Reconceptualising internationalisation through students’ eyes’: Findings from a biographical study of female, international doctoral students in an Irish University

2021 ◽  
pp. 079160352199724
Author(s):  
Lisa Moran ◽  
Lorraine Green ◽  
Simon Warren
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Global Education ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
Units Of Analysis ◽  
University Policies ◽  
Biographical Study ◽  
International Doctoral Students ◽  
Societal Experiences

This paper presents findings from an Irish qualitative study of postgraduate, female, international students. It focuses on their narrations of internationalisation, in respect of events leading them to become international students, and their reflections on their academic, interpersonal and societal experiences in Ireland. International students are generally understudied and marginalised as metaphorical ‘others’ within global education policies, often being reduced to mere recruitment and financial targets and units of analysis. However, this study shows that international students transcend widespread but static assumptions about them being in academic and social deficit when transitioning to life in another country and negotiating new educational contexts. Significantly, our interviewees discursively positioned themselves in multifarious ways in relation to Irish higher education curricula, drawing on various discourses to define their internationalisation journeys. Although the sample size is small and confined to female postgraduates, our data suggests that university policies in Ireland and internationally largely overlook the multidimensionality of international doctoral students’ experiences. In our conclusion, we tentatively suggest ways in which international students’ academic and intercultural experiences could in the future be enriched, and how international students themselves could more fruitfully contribute to Irish higher education.

scholarly journals Experiences of Chinese International Doctoral Students in Canada Who Withdrew: A Narrative Inquiry

10.28945/4240 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 259-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Gao
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Narrative Inquiry ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Doctoral Studies ◽  
International Doctoral Students

Aim/Purpose: For the purpose of better understanding the reasons of their withdrawal and experiences, this study seeks to elicit the voices of Chinese international students who have withdrawn from doctoral studies in Canada. Background: This study used Tinto’s institutional departure model as a framework. His model illustrates that the experience of individuals in that institution modifies their initial intentions and commitments. The scholarly literature on degree completion of graduate students and existing studies on experiences of international students in the North American context also guided the inquiry of this study. Methodology: This is a qualitative study with narrative inquiry as a means for investigation and exploration. Four participants were recruited by purposive sampling, and in-depth interview was used as the approach to collect data. Data were collected in Mandarin and were transcribed into texts. Two rounds of analysis were applied and then the findings were translated into English. Contribution: This study added information to the literature on international doctoral students’ experiences and explained how socio-cultural factors could impact doctoral students’ decision-making. Findings: The themes included: experiences with doctoral supervisors; partnership and the perception of gender roles; family of origin and the importance of education; and educational differences between China and Canada. Recommendations for Practitioners: At a practice level, universities could consider delivering series of workshops to help international graduate students start their journey. Departmental administrative bodies could consider building community for doctoral students and tracking their study paths to better assist students. Given the increased number of international students on campuses, it is time for university staff and faculties to become more aware of what a more diverse student population means. Professional development workshops would help to develop professors’ cultural awareness. Recommendation for Researchers: My research is an example of addressing translation issues in cross-language and cross-cultural settings. Qualitative research is considered valid when the distance between the meanings as experienced by the participants and the meanings as interpreted in the findings is as close as possible. Therefore, I would recommend in the condition that if the researcher and the participant(s) share the same language, the best practice would be to transcribe and analyze data in the original language to shorten the distance from the meanings that are made by participants and the meanings that are interpreted by the researcher(s). Language meanings do lose during the translation process; as researchers, we should try our best to present our participants as truly as possible. Impact on Society: The number of international students who choose to conduct doctoral studies is increasing every year. They are making contributions to the host countries in various ways such as contribution to the enrichment of higher education, the development of research, the promotion of global understanding etc. However, their study status and overall well-being may not be getting enough attention from both the scholarly research and in real practice. Thus, the experiences shared by my research participants who used to be doctoral students and left their studies halfway could add value and knowledge to the understanding of this group of students and to better assist the internationalization of higher education institutions. Future Research: Future studies could probe more on other ethnicities and cultures. Also, numerous studies have been conducted to examine the relationship between doctoral students and their supervisors; however, the incompatibility between doctoral students and their supervisors and coping strategies in that situation is still an area that needs more investigation.

International students’ lived experiences in a predominantly White institution in Southwest Florida

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarisse Halpern ◽  
Hasan Aydin
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Predominantly White ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Global Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Predominantly White Institution ◽  
Southwest Florida ◽  
White Institution ◽  
Dominant Society

AbstractYearly, thousands of international students seek the United States to further their education, bringing cultural and financial capital into the country. Though previous studies have examined international students’ experiences adapting to the receiving country, research is needed to investigate their lived experiences in a predominantly White institution (PWI). Thus, a narrative inquiry was applied to explore international students’ life stories at a PWI in Southwest Florida. Data collection comprised in-depth individual interviews with 12 participants that resulted in four themes: multiracial identities, otherness, self-representation in the dominant society, and perceptions of the dominant culture. The narratives revealed challenges related to isolation, segregation, and feelings of inferiority, contributing to understanding the value of diversity and global education in higher education. Recommendations are included to better serve international students in higher education institutions.

Mobility as Rhizome and Becoming: Experiences of Vietnamese Women in Crossing Borders to do Doctorates

2021 ◽  
pp. 102831532110420
Author(s):  
Xuan Pham ◽  
David Bright
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Economic Globalization ◽  
Family Education ◽  
Academic Mobility ◽  
Vietnamese Women ◽  
International Doctoral Students ◽  
Economic Perspectives ◽  
Nuanced Understanding ◽  
Educational Professional

The purpose of this paper is to unpack the meanings and implications of mobility through the experiences of a group of Vietnamese women who decided to do doctorates in Australia. Drawing on the Deleuzian concepts of rhizome and becoming, our analysis of interview data suggests that mobility is made of multiple connections and is in constant movement, extending often reductive “push-pull” discussions of academic mobility. Each aspect shaping mobility connects to another that is multiscalar and multitemporal, where family, education ideologies, gender norms, economic globalization, neoliberalization within higher education, and the histories and biographies of mobile people come together. Power relations are immanent within structures associated with these connections and the women and mobility come together to create aspirations for educational, professional, and personal becoming. The paper offers a more nuanced understanding of international academic mobility rather than relying on economic perspectives and invites innovative approaches in supporting international doctoral students.

Conceptualizing the Second Education Circuit for China’s Doctoral Students in Asia

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Ge ◽  
Kong Chong Ho
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Research Universities ◽  
Regional Mobility ◽  
East And Southeast Asia ◽  
Flagship Universities ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
International Doctoral Students

Abstract The quest to become research universities of international repute has led flagship universities in East and Southeast Asia to develop a new focus on attracting international doctoral students. This paper aims to understand Chinese doctoral students’ mobility in the immediate region and their education to work perceptions. The study draws from a sample of 301 doctoral students from China who were studying at five universities in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Analysis on students’ decision making and after-study pathways highlights the regional exchange in related areas. We argue that this regional mobility of doctoral students, characterized as the second education circuit, is facilitated by a higher education migration infrastructure with three interactively weaved dimensions: commercial, social, and regulatory. The research findings suggest the growing importance of Asia as a regional second circuit of doctoral training for students from China.

scholarly journals Embracing Internationalization in Gearing Malaysian Higher Education Towards Global Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Siti Maziha Mustapha ◽  
Nabilah Abdullah ◽  
Karthiyaini Devarajoo ◽  
Faridah Ibrahim ◽  
Suhida Hani Suid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Global Education ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Education Hub ◽  
Local Students ◽  
Challenges And Strategies

Abstract: Embracing internationalization is the reality in Malaysian tertiary education in this century. Various endeavors and research collaborations have been and are still carried out to achieve the government’s vision to position Malaysia as a tertiary education hub in the region. Using phenomenological approach, this study attempts to highlight challenges and strategies towards achieving internationalization of Malaysian higher education. Twelve lecturers from public and private universities were purposively sampled to discuss issues on internationalization of Malaysian tertiary education. Focus Group Discussions using semi structured interview protocol were undertaken. Data analysis and interpretation were carried out through thematic development. The findings revealed all participants are aware of the pedagogical approaches to be in practice to embrace the dynamics of global cultures convening in Malaysian lecture rooms. They highlighted the advantages of having international students from academic and social perspectives. Also included are ways how local students benefit with the presence of international students. These benefits emerged as participants discussed the consequences of Malaysian campus bereft of international students. In-class challenges and strategies to overcome them were deliberated. The findings also informed lecturers, administrators, and policy makers of relevant aspects to consider when dealing with international students at the tertiary level in Malaysia.   Keywords: global education, internationalization, international students, tertiary education, phenomenology

scholarly journals Do international classes pay off? A cost-benefit analysis of the internationalisation of higher education in Flanders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristof De Witte ◽  
Mara Soncin
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Micro Data ◽  
Internationalisation Of Higher Education ◽  
Major Trend ◽  
National Economies

AbstractInternationalisation is a major trend in higher education worldwide. Yet, little evidence is given on the net impact of international students on national economies. This study addresses this gap by estimating the benefits against the costs driven by international students in Belgium and its Flemish region in particular. Using a unique combination of various sources of micro-data, the results show net positive benefits that exceed costs by a factor ranging between 2.4 (lower bound) and 3.1 (upper bound) times. The results vary highly with the level of education, as the ratio is the lowest for doctoral students (1.2–1.6) and highest for master students (5.1–6.3). The effect is mainly driven by a high stay rate of international students, who are likely to work in the country after graduation. When considering indirect effects, our results show that there are no significant peer effects due to the presence of international students in the classroom.

scholarly journals International Students in Transition: Voices of Chinese Doctoral Students in a U.S. Research University

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-194
Author(s):  
Yi (Leaf) Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Research University ◽  
Adult Transition ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Sociocultural Experiences ◽  
Students In Transition ◽  
Chinese Doctoral Students

In this study, I focused on international Chinese doctoral students and sought to better understand their lived experience in transition to U.S. higher education. I also aimed to explore strategies that can be employed to improve these students’ academic and sociocultural experiences on American campuses. Guided by the adult transition theory (Goodman, Schlossberg & Anderson, 2006), this study used an interpretive phenomenological method. Qualitative data were collected from in-depth focus group interviews. The findings of this study informed higher education educators and practitioners about unique challenges faced by international Chinese graduates in transition and provided insightful knowledge for new practice, programs, and policies that can be created to improve international students’ transition and success

scholarly journals REVITALISASI PENGELOLAAN DAN PENYELENGGARAAN TRI DHARMA PERGURUAN TINGGI DIANTARA PERSIMPANGAN KEPENTINGAN ANTAR BANGSA

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-159
Author(s):  
Yohan Yohan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Global Education ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Recent Time ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
Higher Education Policies ◽  
The University ◽  
Economic Motives ◽  
Creativity And Innovation

At a recent time, a number of academics ranging from the ‘practical and theoretical academics,’ ‘political academicians,’ ‘academic politicians’ to ‘academic bureaucrats’ are encouragingly striving for responding to the demands of internationalization of Higher Education because of the pressure of global education interests. With the spirit of ‘education liberation’ relying on the General Agreement of Trade in Services (GATS) as a result of ‘industrial globalization matrix’ which is associated with economic motives initiated by the World Trade Organization (WTO) makes some developed countries enthusiastically promote their higher education institutions to a number of countries. Consequently, the invigoration of Indonesian government to all domestic universities to immediately program their institutions as the agents of economy development. Nonetheless, the implementation and management of Tri Dharma are not only specified on developing the strength of national economy but also on social conscience to make the current creativity and innovation can be more relevant to the need of subsistence resources development based on Indonesian characters and uniqueness driven by the moral sense of humanity, fairness and civilized policies. Therefore, the revitalization process should be accordingly manifested toward the principles of Tri Dharma of the university as mandated by Pancasila, Constitution of 1945, Law, GBHN and all of the derivative regulations, not strictly due to the insistence of global pressures. Thus, human resources must be the main agenda to revitalize among other potentials in generating and optimizing the ethic of scientific works in Tri Dharma activities in fulfilling the current necessitates without harming the interests of Indonesian populace. Finally, when Foreign Higher Education policies (FHE) are commercially inclined to globalize their education system and research which is relatively ‘capitalism’, thus our national higher education should be increasingly characterized by the humanity affectionate which elevates the dignity of Indonesia by providing serious devotions and concerns on social and community service.

Representation of international students in the Portuguese press: Are immigrants welcome?

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 137-154
Author(s):  
Thais França
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
News Stories ◽  
National Media ◽  
The Media

Since the 2000s, the Portuguese government and higher education institutions have been making significant changes to their strategies for attracting international students. While scholars have given extensive consideration to how these changes have increased the number of international students, less attention has been paid to how the national media have represented these new arrivals. Hence, in this article, following the analysis of 103 news stories published in two leading Portuguese newspapers, we investigate the representation of international students in the Portuguese press to analyse how the media portrayed this population from 2006 to 2019. As student mobility became more visible in Portuguese migration and education policies, media focus on this phenomenon increased. Based on a critical analysis discourse framework, our results outline a positive narrative about international students that both reinforces Portugal’s image as an attractive destination for skilled youths and highlights the contribution of international students to the country’s development.

3. The Anti-Ecological University: Competitive Higher Education as Ecological Catastrophe

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-66
Author(s):  
Luca Morini
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Global Education ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Competitive Dynamics ◽  
Sustainable Change ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
Education Philosophy ◽  
Higher Education Policies ◽  
Change In Higher Education

<?page nr="45"?>Abstract The article aims at critiquing the current competitive framing which is shaping higher education policies and discourse at an international level. The argument initially takes an historical and genealogical approach to trace the roots of this framing to ideological misinterpretations of evolutionary theory and ecology, and to the influence of eugenics in the framing of educational policy. The article then uses a systems theory lens to articulate the negative impact of competitive dynamics in global education on an ecosystemic level, focusing on a “deecologization” of the two dimensions of time and space in the lives of university students and staff. Finally, the article concludes suggesting the necessity of an imaginative reecologization of thought as a precondition for any sustainable change in Higher Education philosophy and policy.

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