the key components that shape a positive international student experience

The key components that shape a positive international student experience

International student experience: developing

strategies to improve retention, satisfaction and success

Professor Nigel Healey Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International)

Nottingham Trent University 9 June 2015

A positive international student experience so far?

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Overview

• What do we know about the factors that influence the international student experience?

• How well does the data say we are doing?

• What do international students say they want?

• Some practical examples of ‘you said, we did’ from Nottingham

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An empirical model of international student satisfaction

4 Arambewela, R. and Hall, J. (2009). An empirical model of international student satisfaction. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 21(4 ), pp.555–569

Generic versus internationally specific factors

Generic factors: • Valuable feedback from

lecturers • Good access to lecturers • High standard of teaching with

quality lecturers • Cost of living •  Image and prestige

internationally •  Image and prestige in host

country • Access to computer facilities • Availability of modern facilities • Reasonable cost • Good standard

Internationally specific factors: • Counselling services • Social activities • Close working relationships with

all students •  International orientation

programmes • Casual jobs • Opportunities for migration • Safety • Life-style •  Image and prestige in home

country

5 Adapted from Arambewela, R. and Hall, J. (2009). An empirical model of

international student satisfaction. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 21(4 ), pp.555–569

What international students think about generic factors

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Year Overall Satisfaction

Teaching on my course

Assessment and feedback

Academic support

Organisation and

management

Learning resources

Personal development

UK 2014 87 87 76 83 81 85 83

UK 2013 86 85 73 82 79 83 83

UK 2012 83 82 68 76 73 78 79

International 2014 87 81 77 80 80 82 79

International 2013 90 84 75 79 78 82 80

International 2012 79 82 70 78 72 76 77

NSS results for a university in the East Midlands

The NSS outliers (2014 results)

• Outliers often in areas where staff communicate to students

•  Implication is that universities need to prepare academic and professional services staff to support international students

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UK International 1. Staff are good at explaining things. 91 86 2. Staff have made the subject interesting. 83 75 3. Staff are enthusiastic about what they are teaching. 89 81

12. Good advice was available when I needed to make study choices. 79 73 19. The course has helped me to present myself with confidence. 82 76 20. My communication skills have improved. 86 80

What the data says about international student performance – undergraduate progression

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80#

85#

90#

95#

100#

105#

110#

2010/11# 2011/12# 2012/13# 2013/14#

UK# Other#EU# Interna6onal#

Progression rates to Year 2 (UK = 100) for a university in the East Midlands

What the data says about international student performance – academic attainment

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‘Good’ bachelors degrees (UK = 100) for a university in the East Midlands

HESA: international good degrees for sector in

2013/14 = 74 (UK = 100)

Implications of the data

• There is evidence of: – a progression ‘gap’ for international undergraduate students –  lower academic attainment for international undergraduate students

• But other EU (also ‘international’) students tend to outperform UK students on both measures

• Since 2010, the mix of international students has changed, with a huge increase in the proportion of Chinese students and a decline in South Asian students

• There are implications for pastoral care, pedagogy and assessment methods

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What international students say they want

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UK friends Social spaces

which are culturally

safe

Work experience, including paid part-time work I want to

feel I ‘belong’

It’s not that we Brits are uniquely unfriendly…

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Some attempts at NTU to address international student needs: UK friends

• Help UK students see we are all ‘global citizens’ – ontological shock

• Promote Erasmus+ study abroad and internships

Plus:

• Mini travel scholarships

for UK WP students for: – Voluntering projects – Field trips – Summer schools

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Sichuan University, July 2015

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Some attempts at NTU to address international student needs: social spaces

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NTU Global Lounge is an international student hub which welcomes UK students to experience global diversity

Some attempts at NTU to address international student needs: work experience

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Some attempts at NTU to address international student needs: belonging

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Conclusions

• There is well-developed literature on the determinants of international student satisfaction

• The data suggests that international undergraduate students are as satisfied as UK counterparts – with some exceptions

• There is some evidence of lower progression and academic attainment

• International students report wanting to better integrate with UK students, gain work experience, have culturally appropriate social spaces and want to belong

• For more information: nigel.healey@ntu.ac.uk

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