Perceptions of Europe and the US as study destinations

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1 Session Number Presenter s/author s Name Presenter s Institution or City, State, Country GS-467 Franziska Muche Academic Cooperation Association, Brussels, Belgium Perceptions of Europe and the US as study destinations NAFSA Montréal, 25 May 2006 Franziska Muche Senior Officer, ACA

2 Where do international students go? Over 2 million international students, vast majority in Europe, US and Australia ACA-study EURODATA: 1.1 million international students in 32 European countries Around 50 % were non-european Over 80% of outgoing European students go to another European country, 13% go to the US Latest OECD data: market share of the US (and the UK) has fallen

3 The Perceptions study carried out by the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA), November 04 - December 05 in response to a call for tender issued by the European Commission Two overriding aims: Acquire an in-depth understanding of the perception of European higher education in third countries Advise the European Commission regarding a possible European higher education brand

4 Methodology Main instruments: standardised, closed questionnaires, online and hard copy: Six target countries: China, India, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, and Thailand Online questionnaire open to students world-wide International students in the US (control group; separate questionnaire) Approximately responses

5 What did we ask? Three blocks of questions: Europe and its higher education compared to major competitors (mainly US, AUS) Decision making: general motivation and destination choice Sources of information

6 Does Europe exist? Europe is perceived as economic/political union but as a range of individual countries for higher education Dominance of core Europe UK, Germany, France Knowledge about UK/US above any other destination, especially in China, India Perceived discrepancies: cost-related issues, student support, quality

7 Europe and its competitors Students rank own destination above others Regardless of destination: traditional and cultural Europe, dynamic US Clear regional preference pattern Asian target countries: US/AUS Russia/Latin American countries: Europe

8 Europe and its competitors US at the top for Quality of education and laboratories, prestige of universities and degrees, research environment Work opportunities during/after studies Europe at the top for: Safety, tradition and cultural heritage, living standard Australia at the top for Safety, accessibility, chances of obtaining a visa, affordability, friendliness towards foreigners

9 European myths and reality Clear regional pattern Free tuition: asset, but Europe not seen as particularly affordable Diversity of cultures and languages mainly seen as attractive, (especially Brazilians/Mexicans) abundance a problem for significant group of Asians (barrier to communication, confusing) Europe s single major disadvantage in Asia is that English is not the mother tongue.

10 Decision making Motivation to study abroad: mostly careeroriented, plus personal and professional growth Preference to study a Master s degree abroad (and do an undergraduate degree in home country)

11 Destination choice Most respondents did not care about world region where they were going to study Prestige, quality of education and reputation of degrees most important in destination choice Other important factors influencing decision: affordability, accessibility and safety also: transparent admission structures, student support, well-structured programmes

12 Obstacles and changes of mind Ideal and final destination country did not match for a quarter of the respondents Main obstacles related to financing, visa availability, language preparation

13 (Sources of) information Main sources are web-based Internet, websites of individual universities and websites/ offices of internationalisation agencies Also important: personal contact/agents (interviews) Main message: lack of information on study opportunities in Europe Information missing or hard to access No clear sender Lack of information on financial issues (scholarships/cost), rankings and suitable programmes

14 How to make Europe more attractive? Bologna measures / Erasmus Mundus-type models are good but not sufficient Most essential: information portal Europe-wide rankings financial support for non-european students

15 The Reports Final Report Perceptions of European Higher Education in Third Countries dus/index_en.html Eurodata Student mobility in European higher education

16 Session Number Presenter s/author s Name Presenter s Institution or City, State, Country GS-467 Daniel Obst Institute of International Education, New York, U.S. Perceptions of Europe and the U.S. as Study Destinations NAFSA Annual Conference 2006 Montreal, Canada May 25, 2006 Daniel Obst Director, Membership and Higher Education Services Institute of International Education dobst@iie.org

17 565,039 international students attended U.S. higher education institutions in 2004/05 International Students (1,000s) Fields of Study of International Students, 2004/05 Business & Management 18% All Others* 29% Social Sciences 8% Physical & Life Sciences 9% Math & Computer Sciences 9% 0% Other 11% Engineering 16% 2004/05 % of % Change Rank Place of Origin Total Total From 03/04 WORLD TOTAL 565, India 80, China 62, Korea, Republic of 53, Japan 42, Canada 28, Taiwan 25, Mexico 13, Turkey 12, Germany 8, Thailand 8, United Kingdom 8, Indonesia 7, Colombia 7, Brazil 7, Hong Kong, China 7, Kenya 6, France 6, Nigeria 6, Pakistan 6, Malaysia 6,

18 Study on Perceptions of US Higher Education Among International Students Separate survey 420 survey responses Origin/Nationality, Field of Study and Sources of Funding are all representative of overall international student population in the US

19 Deciding to Study Abroad Top Reason: Global Competence: Enhancing career opportunities and gaining experience for future employment (at home or internationally). Experience new ways of thinking/acting in the field of study Improve changes for international career Get a broader/more flexible education than offered in home country Opportunity to develop the personality/become more independent Improve career prospects/chances of getting a job in home country

20 Deciding to Study in the US (Perceptions of the US) Top Reason: Reputation of institutions and degrees in US Of lesser importance: Proficiency in English Home qualifications are accepted Not important: Lifestyle, cultural opportunities Friends or family living in US Prior visits to the US

21 Deciding on a Host Campus in the US Most Important: Specific program/course is offered in area of specialization General prestige of institution/quality of education and research Possibility to receive financial aid Modern, technologically advanced teaching and learning methods Level of support/advice given to international students Not Important: City where institution is located Diversity of host institution

22 Attitudes toward Higher Ed in the US US is a modern, technologically advanced country Excellent quality of higher education and reputation of universities High standard of living People are welcoming of foreigners/people of different ethnicities

23 Comparing Results of US Survey to Overall Survey US is most popular destination (especially with students from Asia, less so with students from Russia and Latin America) US has best quality of labs, libraries, and other facilities US has best quality of education US has the most prestigious institutions US education increases chances of getting a job But: US is perceived as less safe and less accessible (visas) than Europe or Australia US is perceived as less affordable than Europe

24 Global Competition for Foreign Students US Remains Dominant Host Country for International Students: 2003/04 Data from Leading 5 Host Countries France 13% Foreign Students in Europe International Students in Europe in 2002/03: 1.1 Million (includes European and Non-European foreign students) Germany 16% USA 41% Non-European International Students in Europe: 575,000 Australia 10% Compare to US: 586,000 (in 02/03) 564,000 (in 04/05) UK 20% But US Market Share of International Students among leading host countries is declining From: Eurodata (ACA 2006) US market share dropped from 47% in 1997/98 to 41% in 03/04. Among 3 leading Anglophone host countries, drop in share is even more pronounced (from 65% in 97/98 to 56% in 2003/04). Int l enrollments in the U.S. double that of any other country. From: Atlas of Student Mobility (IIE)

25 Does the US Have to Worry? According to the survey results No 1) English language 2) Quality and prestige of education 3) Availability of scholarships 4) Availability of programs of choice 5) Access to job market

26 Does the US have to Worry? Maybe a little bit 1) Erasmus Program 2) Erasmus Mundus 3) Marketing Strategies and National and European Policies/Strategies

27 Funding and Scholarships IIE launches new scholarship directory for study in the United States: Hundreds of scholarships, grants and fellowships available for study and research Searchable by country, field of study, location and organization

Introduction Research Teaching Cooperation Faculties. University of Oulu

Introduction Research Teaching Cooperation Faculties. University of Oulu University of Oulu Founded in 1958 faculties 1 000 students 2900 employees Total funding EUR 22 million Among the largest universities in Finland with an exceptionally wide scientific base Three universities