Internationationalization: Where are Mobile Students Studying?
The Atlas of Student Mobility, 2006 UNESCO Report on International Educational Exchange released the latest figures on student mobility in November 2006. As countries continue to pursue internationalization strategies at the regional, national, state and institutional level, are these numbers driving the process? Why are students pursuing studies in these top 8 destinations?
The top 8 Global Destinations for International Students:
(estimated on 2.5 million students)
United States 22%
United Kingdom 12%
Germany 10%
France 10%
Australia 7%
China 6%
Japan 5%
Canada 3%
A summary of this data from the UNESCO site:
"-Half of all foreign students study in Europe and almost one-third in the United States.
-Three countries host half of the world’s foreign students (United States, United Kingdom, and Germany). Add the next two highest hosting countries (France and Australia), and these five countries serve two-thirds of the world’s foreign students.
-While 30% of all foreign students are in the United States, they represent only 4% of the country’s tertiary students. In the United Kingdom and in Germany, foreign students make up one in ten total tertiary enrolments, in Australia almost one in seven.
-Three out of five foreign students in Europe are studying in either in the United Kingdom, Germany or France.
- The United States hosts the largest number of foreign students, welcoming 583 thousand students in 2001/02. Sixty-three percent of these students come from Asia."
Comments
In my opinion, it may be a surprise if the report does not come this way. The above-listed most preferred destinations are the nations having world's best universities and a wide spectrum of financial aid. Moreover, reputation and financial aids are two of the top crucial reasons why foreign students decide to choose where they pursue their studies so it is understandable why these countries can have the top ranks.
Through this sumary, if we put Canada into consideration it will be noticeable that 4 of 8 top most popular educational venues are English-speaking countries and even in other countries such as Germany, China, or Japan we can easily find out English-taught programs. All of these prove that English language takes a great attraction from international students and the trend to launch academic programs in English is growing day by day. Is launching academic programs instructed in English thought as a mandatory step of internationalision process at some institutions of higher education? I hope to find the answer soon when i will be in Oslo in case that i am luckily offered a seat in MPHE at UiO.
Germany, U.K., and France are nations receiving the most of international students in Europe but Nordic countries have appeared as another qualified choice for students around the world due to their open policies and priorities. We have reasons to believe that Nordic region will be grouped into the list of world's most attractive educational destinations in very near future.
Have nice days ahead!
Posted by: Diep Thanh Vuong | March 19, 2007 10:09 AM