Test Your Knowledge

International Students: Facts and Figures

• International students are those who move to a different country for the purpose of tertiary education.

• In 2019, there were over 6 million international students worldwide, with the US, Australia, and the UK being the most popular destinations.

• The definition of "foreign" or "international" students varies by country.

• Political developments are a major factor in the mobility of international students.

• Australia has the highest ratio of international students per head of population, with 26.7% of university students being international.

• China is the leading destination for Anglophone African students and the top destination globally for international students.

• India and Japan are emerging destinations for international students.

• Many international students are seeking "value for money" and exploring alternative destinations.

• In 2019, the top 10 countries for foreign student enrollment were the US, Australia, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea.

• The number of foreign students in the US is rapidly increasing, with China and India being the top countries of origin.

• Prospective foreign students are usually required to sit for language tests before admission.Challenges Faced by International Students in English-Speaking Countries

• Foreign students are required to obtain a student visa to study in the US and must prove their financial ability to pay for their tuition and living expenses.

• International students contribute $33.8 billion to the US economy and 335,000 jobs, according to research from NAFSA.

• To recruit more foreign students, higher education institutions need to diversify the markets from which they recruit.

• The Global Assessment Certification (GAC) Program is a university preparation program that helps students from non-English speaking backgrounds prepare for university-level study.

• Opening international branch campuses is a new strategy for recruiting foreign students in other countries.

• Many international students face difficulties in language use, cultural differences, and a lack of support groups.

• Plagiarism is a serious offense in academia and international students may struggle with understanding American academic standards.

• International students studying in a foreign country face a life-altering event which can cause distress that can potentially affect their mental wellness.

• Language and communication barriers add to student anxiety and stress.

• Studying abroad is a valuable program for international students as it is intended to increase their knowledge and understanding of other cultures.

• Failure to participate in classroom discussions can be a serious obstacle to good grades for international students who come from countries with the view that professors are to be held in awe.

• Lack of participation can be interpreted as disinterest, and may lead to lower grades.International Student Study Abroad: Accommodation, Coping, and Adjustment

Accommodation plays a significant role in determining the study abroad experience.

Host families are volunteers who house a student during their program and receive payment for hosting.

International students can choose to live on or off-campus, but living off-campus is a popular choice as it allows students to be more independent and learn more about the new culture.

The w-curve model created by Gullahorn and Gullahorn (1963) is a W-shaped model that attempts to give a visual description of a traveler's possible experience of culture shock when entering a new culture and the re-entry shock experienced when returning home.

Positive affectivity is an emotional disposition that affects the adjustment of international students to their new environment.

Adjustment to a foreign work environment and its operationalization have been the subject of broad methodological discussion.

The American Association of International Educators has identified learning approaches and assimilating inter-cultural experiences as key factors in international academic success.

Host families are responsible for providing a room, meals, and a stable family environment for the student.

Universities that host international students will offer assistance in obtaining accommodation.

Homestays, paid accommodation with a host family, are available in some countries.

Most international student advisory services allow for a switch of hosts if problems arise.