scholarly journals Post-Degree Intentions of Female International Undergraduate Students Studying in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-158
Author(s):  
Alison Kelly ◽  
Dawn Bennett ◽  
Beena Giridharan ◽  
Lorna Rosenwax
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Cultural Capital ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Degree Programs ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Depth Interviews

Higher education has been positively linked with increased opportunity for women, including enhanced employability, increased migration, enriched cultural capital, and improved language skills. With the number of international students rising, understanding postdegree intentions is increasingly important for institutions, policy makers, and administrators. This qualitative study explored the postdegree intentions of female international undergraduate students at the Malaysian campus of an Australian university. In-depth interviews were conducted with students from a range of degree programs and data was studied using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that postdegree intentions were substantially influenced by other people and policies; a common aspiration was to balance career and family; postdegree intentions were not solely career-focused; and the students anticipated discrimination and inequality but were determined to successfully navigate these.

scholarly journals Students' Perspectives on Future Employment: A Qualitative Study on Indonesian Higher Education Institutions during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 417-424
Author(s):  
Muhammad Haekal ◽  
Ahmad Arief Muttaqien ◽  
Ainal Fitri
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Hope Theory ◽  
The Future ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Collection Methods

This study aims to determine how undergraduate students at Indonesian higher education institutions think about future jobs associated with aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in precariat work. It involved twenty students from two public universities located in Aceh, Indonesia. Online in-depth interviews were used as the data collection methods. Additionally, Snyder’s hope theory was utilised as a theoretical framework for this qualitative study. The theory would be useful in understanding the students’ insights related to the precarity of the future job, especially in the aspect of goals, pathway, and agency. The study found that despite having a lack of visualisation towards the future, the undergraduate students generally believed that COVID-19 and precarious working arrangements were serious challenges towards future employment. Academic achievements such as high grades might not be sufficient unless supplemented by substantial organisational skills, vast networking, and a resilient entrepreneurial mentality. This study also underlined the vital role of higher education institutions in strategically preparing their students to face the unpredictability and precariousness of the future job marketplace.

scholarly journals Work a Way Out: Breaking Monoethnic Isolation through On-Campus Employment

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengwei Su
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
International Student ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Domestic Students ◽  
Student Employees ◽  
The University

Since the global economic recession in 2008, Chinese undergraduate students have quickly risen to be the largest international student population in American colleges and universities, forming a monoethnic group that often isolates itself from domestic students on campuses. This study explores how twelve Chinese undergraduate students utilized on-campus employment as a means of engaging host nationals to improve language skills and engage in cross-cultural interactions. Thematic analysis affirms the efficacy of the university workplace as an educational space outside of the classroom. Based on these findings, various policy recommendations are proposed to improve the management of international student employees.

scholarly journals Challenging Deficit Constructions of the International Student Category in Canadian Higher Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Surtees
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
English Language ◽  
Campus Environment ◽  
Campus Diversity ◽  
Canadian Higher Education ◽  
Language Brokers ◽  
Premier Cycle

The trend toward internationalization on Canadian campuses has been simultaneously lauded as an opportunity for promoting campus diversity and criticized for creating a campus environment that is segregated along linguistic and ethnic lines. As a result of these tensions, students labelled as “international” have become the focus of increasing amounts of media attention. In this article, drawing on interviews with undergraduate students (n = 13) from one postsecondary Canadian institution, I examine how the seemingly neutral labels applied to diverse students, such as the category “international,” operate in talk to reproduce deficit understandings of these students, particularly in regard to their English language abilities. I then provide evidence that students also construct more positive representations of international students through references to their experiences of migration and their expertise interacting with speakers of different Englishes. I offer the notion of “language brokers” as a helpful conceptual lens for interpreting this categorization and for reflecting on the contributions that international students make to Canadian higher education. La tendance de l’internationalisation dans les universités canadiennes a simultanément été louée comme une occasion de promouvoir la diversité sur le campus et critiquée pour la ségrégation qu’elle opère dans l’environnement universitaire en fonction de l’appartenance linguistique et ethnique. Ces tensions ont pour effet d’attirer progressivement l’attention des médias sur les étudiants dits « internationaux ».  Dans le présent article, je m’appuie sur des entrevues avec des étudiantes et étudiants de premier cycle (n = 13) inscrits dans un établissement postsecondaire canadien pour examiner la façon dont des étiquettes apparemment neutres accolées à des étudiants diversifiés, comme par exemple la catégorie des étudiants « internationaux », crée un langage qui reflète certains déficits de compréhension de tels étudiants, particulièrement en ce qui concerne leurs compétences linguistiques en anglais. J’apporte ensuite la preuve que les étudiants construisent également des représentations plus positives des étudiants internationaux à la lumière de leur expérience migratoire et de la compétence avec laquelle ils interagissent avec des interlocuteurs qui s’expriment dans les multiples variations de l’anglais. J’offre la notion de « courtier en langues » comme lentille conceptuelle utile pour l’interprétation de cette catégorisation et pour une réflexion sur les apports des étudiants internationaux à l’enseignement supérieur au Canada.

scholarly journals Longing for Independence, Yet Depending on Family Support: A Qualitative Analysis of Psychosocial Adaptation of Iranian International Students in Hungary

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
Sara Hosseini-Nezhad ◽  
Saba Safdar ◽  
Lan Anh Nguyen Luu
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Psychosocial Adaptation ◽  
Intercultural Interactions ◽  
Iranian Students ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Intercultural Experiences

International students experience psychosocial changes in response to their new environment, and their psychosocial adaptation is facilitated or hindered by various factors. This study aimed to examine the intercultural experiences of Iranian international students in Hungary. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 Iranian students in Budapest, Hungary, and a thematic analysis employed to discern and interpret themes within the data. The thematic analysis identified three overarching themes: (1) Sojourn’s Experience as Self-Growth, (2) Uncertainty in Intercultural Interactions, and (3) Striving for Autonomous-Related Self. The data reported that Iranian students experienced more happiness in Hungary than sadness, and their motivation to live independently in Hungary while depending on family support acted as buffers against any negative psychological feelings. The findings of this study underline the significance of independence and family support as the influencing factors for psychosocial adaptation of Iranian students.

scholarly journals An Investigation of the Experiences of Working with Multilingual International Students among Local Students and Faculty Members in Chinese Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 6419
Author(s):  
Yawen Han ◽  
Wenxuan Li ◽  
Min Bao ◽  
Xinyu Cao
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Academic Programs ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Chinese Universities ◽  
Learning Attitudes ◽  
English Medium Instruction ◽  
Local Students ◽  
Depth Interviews

In recent years, as a response to the internationalization of higher education worldwide, China has begun to enroll international students to study at the tertiary level on an increasingly large scale. While the majority of the programs and courses are open to international students via Chinese as Chinese-medium instruction (CMI), there are also an increasing number of programs and courses delivered through English-medium instruction (EMI). In order to understand higher education multilingual contexts, this qualitative study examines how local students and faculty members make sense of their engagement with international students in three Chinese universities. In the study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 11 academics who worked with international students as project supervisors and 25 Chinese university students regarding their experiences of working with international students. The findings that emerged from the thematic analysis revealed that international students’ learning engagement was profoundly mediated by language barriers, cultural assumptions and the academic conventions in host institutions. The study revealed that Chinese academics are concerned about international students’ learning attitudes, their academic progress and a lack of participation due to their language ability. Local Chinese students also reported a lack of satisfaction in working with international students. Some of the local students felt that some international students may have been enabled to enroll in the academic programs as a result of national and university policies, which has led to a ‘dumbing down’ of the curriculum offered in English. The findings indicate that more needs to be done to promote mutual exchanges and better understanding among international students, Chinese faculty members and local students.

scholarly journals Aligning the times: Exploring the convergence of researchers, policy makers and research evidence in higher education policy making

2020 ◽  
pp. 003452372092067
Author(s):  
Karen Smith ◽  
Scott Fernie ◽  
Nick Pilcher
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Policy Networks ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Times ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Research And Policy

The complexity of contemporary higher education policy making and the multitude of evidences and actors in policy networks mean that relationships between higher education researchers, policy makers and research evidence are not straightforward. In this article, we use a theoretical lens of time, Adams’ Timescapes, to explore this relationship and better understand why the research and policy worlds are frequently described as divided. Drawing on in-depth interviews with higher education researchers, policy makers and research funders, we show how research and policy have different interpretations of time. We discuss the Timeframes, or lengths, of work and career, the Temporality, or complexity, of ‘evidence’, of networks and relationships, and the importance of elements such as Timing, or synchronisation, and Tempo, or pace. We conclude that policy makers and higher education researchers may be better able to make sense of the problematic nature of aligning their concerns, interests and actions through understanding different Timescapes.

scholarly journals Challenges for Global Learners: A Qualitative Study of the Concerns and Difficulties of International Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 501-526
Author(s):  
Chetanath Gautam ◽  
Charles L. Lowery ◽  
Chance Mays ◽  
Dayan Durant
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
International Students ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Small Town ◽  
The United States ◽  
Initial Survey ◽  
Educational Journeys ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Purposive Sample

The authors in this study seek to inform academia about international students’ experiences and challenges while attending universities in Small Town USA. Despite their eagerness to study in the United States (U.S.), international students are faced with setbacks that many universities fail to recognize or realize. The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of students using questions based on information from the literature and an initial survey. The themes that emerged from the data analysis were language, jobs/finances, transportation, assimilation, religious interactions, and identity. Findings emphasize the imperative to understand the challenges these students face as they continue their educational journeys in the United States.

scholarly journals The Challenges, Coping Mechanisms, and the Needs of the Inhospital Parents Caring for Children with Life-limiting Neurological Disorders: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Fahisham Taib ◽  
Khoo Teik Beng ◽  
Lee Chee Chan
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
English Language ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Neurological Conditions ◽  
Depth Interviews

Objective: Parents who have children with complex lifelong and life-limiting neurological conditions experienced many stresses and anxieties throughout their lives as caregivers. However, this information is still very limited. The study aimed to explore the challenges faced by parents with children who have complex neurological conditions, their coping strategies, needs, and expectations. Materials and Methods: A semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted in the either Malay or English language among the parents of children with complex lifelong neurological conditions and have been on long-term in-patient hospital care. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. The qualitative study was conducted from October to November 2016 at the Paediatric Institute of Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Grounded theory was used to examine the qualitative data with inductive and deductive types of coding. The transcripts were read repeatedly to allow familiarity to the themes presented by the participants. Further discussions were conducted among the researchers to triangulate the information. Results: A total of 11 parents were interviewed for this study. The thematic analysis resulted in 8 challenges: Physical wellbeing, Environment, Relationship, Financial, Occupational, Rational, Mental, and Spiritual. Coping strategies comprised problem focused issues related to the key challenges in the caregivers’ context. Similar to the needs and expectations, the key themes were derived from the key understandings of the challenges and looking at the palliative care impacts for these children. Conclusion: There are various challenges faced by parents of children with life-limiting neurological disorders. Physical, Environment, Relationship, Financial, Occupational, Rational, Mental, and Spiritual Wellbeing can be a platform for the assessment of the caregivers’ needs and the planning for palliative care support.

Assessment of Diversity Through Student Isolation

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Vighnarajah ◽  
Lim Shing Yu Jolene
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Great Depth ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Student Isolation ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Education Process

As higher education institutions grow as a commodity with diversified groups of local and international students, it is imperative for students, educators and policy makers to identify and address concerns that might arise from such amalgamation of cultures and experiences. In light of this interest, this article shares qualitative findings on how experiences of student isolation can cause deleterious effects on students' university learning experiences. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of five Malaysian and International students to discuss their student isolation experiences and how it engaged them in the overall university learning experience. The findings disclosed key factors that can potentially cause student isolation in aspects of academic, social and emotional development, and these key factors were critically examined to identify mitigation measures. Findings from this study addressed clear evidence to how student isolation can negatively affect one's university learning experience, especially among international students who are not used to diverse education process, curriculum and expectations. UCSI University anchors great depth of interest in engaging students on holistic and successful university learning experience to ensure holistic development of graduates.

Impact of International Students on Interactive Skills and College Outcomes of Domestic Students in U.S. Colleges

2016 ◽  
pp. 1231-1253
Author(s):  
Jiali Luo
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Domestic Students ◽  
Senior Administrators ◽  
College Outcomes ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
International Diversity ◽  
International Interaction ◽  
Globalized World ◽  
The Impact

This chapter reviews literature on the impact of international interaction on interactive skills and college outcomes of domestic students in U.S. colleges and presents key results from a comprehensive alumni survey of three graduating cohorts on the career achievements among undergraduate students who engaged in substantial interaction with international students during college. The findings indicate that collegiate international interaction was significantly correlated with U.S. students' postbaccalaureate international interaction, civic engagement, and artistic activities. The findings provide empirical evidence for claims of potential outcomes from collegiate international interaction and have implications for faculty, senior administrators, student affairs professionals, and policy makers as well as students seeking strategies for promoting beneficial international interaction, maximizing the gains in international diversity that institutions have achieved in recent years, and preparing students to function effectively in an increasingly globalized world.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document