scholarly journals Challenges of postgraduate international students in achieving academic success

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasvir Kaur Nachatar Singh ◽  
Gavin Jack
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
International Students ◽  
Student Development ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
International Student ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Academic Challenges

Existing literature on international students predominately offers rich insights into international students’ adjustment experiences. Although previous researchers have acknowledged that academic and social adjustment experiences do impact academic success of students, limited research has been conducted on understanding the connections between adjustment-related challenges and academic success, particularly of postgraduate international students from Malaysia. This paper fills that gap in the literature, investigating key challenges impeding academic success of postgraduate international students, and thereby seeks to contribute to scholarship on international student development. It adopts a qualitative approach and is based on 55 semi-structured interviews, analysed thematically. The paper notably identifies two main challenges that hinder academic success of postgraduate international students. Firstly, academic challenges faced by postgraduate international students include issues with languages, lack of quality supervision and problems with research training. Secondly, social challenges such as lack of financial aid and barriers of friendships hinder students’ academic success.

scholarly journals Applying Student Development Theories: Enhancing International Student Academic Success and Integration

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (Winter) ◽  
pp. 18-24
Author(s):  
Anduena Ballo ◽  
Charles Mathies ◽  
Leasa Weimer
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
International Students ◽  
Student Development ◽  
Student Services ◽  
International Student ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Development Models ◽  
Growth And Change ◽  
And Migration

Student development theories (SDT) focus on the growth and change occurring in students while attending higher education. In this article, we propose that the application of student development theories supports holistic development in international students and helps us understand international students’ academic success and integration. We outline a combination of student development models, derived from SDT, and interact them with concepts from international student mobility and migration (ISM). These models, when applied to student services, may assist higher education institutions (HEIs) in designing student services for international students enhancing academic success and integration.

scholarly journals Investigation of International Students’ Perception of ‘Community’ in a British Higher Education Institute

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrine Angela Jackson ◽  
Fay Harris ◽  
Russell Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Global Community ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Student Community ◽  
Research Students ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Future Work

This paper investigates the perceptions of members of our international student community by giving them a voice and a platform to explore their feelings as part of a Higher Education institute in the UK and whether they consider that the university is a global environment. Our data is based on a series of structured interviews with twelve students from twelve different countries, inclusive of four postgraduate research students. Our findings reveal that our international students commonly feel part of multiple smaller communities but interestingly, they were less sure of their part within an institute-wide community. The postgraduate students’ perceptions of community were quite divergent when compared to the undergraduate perceptions, which we will continue to explore in our future work. Our data supports the perception from international students that their university is a global community, but there were distinct differences in how individuals defined it and some limitations to consider. Some defined it as students and staff of different nationalities being present at a university whilst other definitions relied on cultural characteristics within the institution as a whole. We reflect upon the implications of our research as these perceptions shape international student opinion of Higher Education institutes and what is understood by the term ‘global community’.

scholarly journals Analysis of Social Adjustment Factors of International Students in Turkey

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1155-1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murat Gündüz ◽  
Naib Alakbarov
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
International Student ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Counseling Services ◽  
International Student Mobility ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Social ◽  
Adjustment Factors ◽  
University Lecturers

International student mobility is an important issue in many countries. In 2016, the number of international students reached 5 million worldwide. Turkey has attracted international students since the 1990s; however, the influx of such students has increased notably since 2009. In this study, we analyze factors affecting the social adjustment of international students studying at Usak University in Turkey. Participants’ questionnaire responses were grouped via factor analysis, and pertinent factors affecting social adjustment were revealed through logistic regression analysis. Results indicate that feeling safe and communicating with counseling services and university lecturers can facilitate international students’ social adjustment at Usak University.

Information Literacy Instruction for International Students

2015 ◽  
pp. 117-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Zanin-Yost
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
International Students ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
International Student ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Student Population ◽  
Diversity Awareness ◽  
Academic Mission

International students bring cultural and diversity awareness to an institution, but they also bring a variety of assumptions about how research is conducted in the United States. In developing an outreach plan to international students, the academic library should create services that cater specifically to this student population. By developing collaborations with other campus units, the library can foster academic success and at the same time build a sense of community for the undergraduate international student population. The chapter illustrates how through collaboration the library can become an active participant in supporting the academic mission of the institution, foster a sense of belonging among the students, and strengthen campus relationships among various entities, in particular, international students.

Utilizing Online Academic Coaching as an Added Value for International Student Support

2021 ◽  
pp. 232-251
Author(s):  
Emily Guetzoian
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Academic Coaching ◽  
Online Learners ◽  
Online Higher Education ◽  
Education Environment ◽  
Definition Of

This chapter explores the utilization of academic coaching as a way to support international students in the online higher education environment. International students and online learners experience barriers to academic success which have been amplified by the COVID pandemic. Given the lack of a widely accepted definition of academic coaching in academia, the author describes what academic coaching is and why it is different from other academic services such as advising or tutoring. This chapter also offers an implementation guide for campuses and departments considering the implementation of such a program on their campus, especially given the budget constraints caused by the pandemic. This guide includes suggestions of who can serve as an academic coach, ideal training topics for coaches, and logistical considerations for the online environment. The chapter concludes with a recommendation for future research on the topic of academic coaching, especially as it relates to online learners and international students.

scholarly journals Do International Students Appreciate Active Learning in Lectures?

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio Marrone ◽  
Murray Taylor ◽  
Mara Hammerle
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Active Learning ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
International Student ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Accounting Information Systems ◽  
Active Learning Strategies ◽  
Social Constructivist Theory

Active learning has been linked with increased student motivation, engagement and understanding of course material. It promotes deep learning, helping to develop critical thinking and writing skills in students. Less well understood, however, are the responses of international students to active learning. Using social constructivist theory, the purpose of this study is to examine domestic and international student perceptions of active learning introduced into large undergraduate Accounting Information Systems lectures. Several active learning strategies were implemented over one semester and examined through the use of semi-structured interviews as well as pre- and post- implementation surveys. Our results suggest broad improvements for international students in student engagement and understanding of unit material when implementing active learning strategies. Other key implications include international student preference for active learning compared with passive learning styles, and that international students may receive greater benefits from active learning strategies than domestic students due to social factors. Based on these findings this paper proposes that educators should seek to implement active learning to better assist and integrate students of diverse backgrounds.

scholarly journals International students’ transitions to UK Higher Education – revisiting the concept and practice of academic hospitality

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef Ploner
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
First Year ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Student Transition ◽  
Education Practice ◽  
Uk Higher Education

With the increasing mobility of international students to UK universities, the appropriate facilitation of their transition remains a critical issue in terms of higher education practice and research. Much existing research and practice is characterised by assimilationist approaches to transition where international students are seen to ‘adapt to’ and ‘fit in’ seemingly uniform host environments. This study however draws on the concept of ‘academic hospitality’ (Bennett, 2000; Phipps & Barnett, 2007) to develop a more nuanced stance which emphasises reciprocity between academic ‘hosts’ and ‘guests’. The findings presented here emerge from semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of international students who spent their first year abroad at a well-established UK university. Elaborating on different experiences and forms of academic hospitality (material, virtual, epistemological, linguistic and touristic), the paper contributes to a refined theorisation of international student transition. It also offers valuable insights for academic practitioners and policy makers who seek sensible approaches to internationalisation.

scholarly journals A New Conceptual Model for Understanding International Students’ College Needs

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 920-932
Author(s):  
Eyad Alfattal
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
International Student ◽  
The United States ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Model Program ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Graduate International Students ◽  
Promotion Process ◽  
Phenomenological Design

 This study concerns the theory and practice of international marketing in higher education with the purpose of exploring a conceptual model for understanding international students’ needs in the context of a four-year college in the United States. A transcendental phenomenological design was employed to investigate the essence of international students’ needs within their study experiences and explore a conceptual model that can explain these needs. Qualitative data were collected from 12 undergraduate and graduate international students through semi-structured interviews. Using thematic analysis, findings expand typical marketing mix frameworks and advance an eight-dimensional international student needs model: Program, Place, Price, Promotion, Process, People, Physical Facility, and Peace. 

scholarly journals Socialization Experiences of First Year non-Western International Master’s Students at a Mid-Western University

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. p39
Author(s):  
Emmanuel E. Akanwa
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
International Students ◽  
Support Services ◽  
International Student ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Experiences ◽  
First Year ◽  
Master's Students ◽  
Making Friends ◽  
United States Higher Education

As the international student population continues to increase in the United States’ higher education institutions, the need to explore the significance of socialization as a necessary predictor to academic success has become inevitable. While most studies on students’ socialization had investigated socialization experiences of students in general, there has been a paucity of research that specifically explored the socialization experiences of first-year international master’s degree students from non-Western countries. This study’s findings revealed respondents’ varying perspectives on adjustment, group support, social experiences, making friends, among other constructs, and implicated the need for more support services as well as the need for international students to take ownership of their socialization, determination, and persistence.

scholarly journals Three Levels of Push-Pull Dynamics Among Chinese International Students’ Decision to Study Abroad in the Canadian Context

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Mian Chen
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
International Student ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Chinese International Students ◽  
Student Migration ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Migration Flows ◽  
The Individual

The extant literature on student migration flows generally focus on the traditional push-pull factors of migration at the individual level. Such a tendency excludes the broader levels affecting international student mobility. This paper proposes a hybrid of three levels of push-pull dynamics (micro−individual decision-making, meso−academic marketing, and macro−national marketing) to paint a more accurate picture of student migration flows. A case study of 15 semi-structured interviews with Chinese international students at a Canadian university was conducted to illuminate the underresearched reality that universities and Canada as a nation offer additional incentives, in conjunction with individual/familial reasons, for study abroad. The paper concludes with recommendations for new research directions arising from the present study.

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