Experiences of international students in New Zealand

Presentation at Going Global3

London 5 December 2008

Paul Lister

Policy Manager, International Division

Ministry Of Education

New Zealand

Trends in international enrolments

The international education sector peaked at 121,167 fee-paying enrolments during the 2003 year, & subsequently declined by 25 percent to 90,951 during 2007.

There were 97,916 enrolments during January – August 2003, and there has been a 26 percent decline to 72,540 enrolments for 2008 to date.

97,916 96,953

82,62976,173 76,899

72,540

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

1 Jan - 30 August

Inte

rnat

ional

fee-

payin

g st

uden

ts

Private Training Establishments

Tertiary Education Institutions

Schools

Key source countries

Table 1 Origins of international fee-paying enrolments

1 Jan–30 August

2007

1 Jan–30 August

2008

Percentage of total, 2008

Percentage change,

2007 – 08

China (incl Hong Kong SAR) 21,670 17,260 23.8% -20.4%

South Korea 14,961 14,286 19.7% -4.5%

Japan 9,715 8,693 12.0% -10.5%

India 2,946 4,600 6.3% 56.1%

Saudi Arabia 2,038 2,943 4.1% 44.4%

Germany 2,486 2,569 3.5% 3.3%

All other countries 22,982 22,189 30.6% -3.5% Total 76,798* 72,540 100.0% - 5.7% * 101 students did not have their nationalities recorded on the EEL returns prepared by providers.

Tertiary international enrolments

International enrolments in NZ’s tertiary education institutions rose from 6,185 in 1994, to 41,528 in 2004.

The great majority of this growth was in fee-paying university enrolments, which peaked at 28,195 in 2004.

The increase was driven by Chinese students; these enrolments rose from 84 in 1994 to 24,589 in 2004.

International TEI enrolments declined to 31,143 in 2007, with 13,262 Chinese enrolments.

International fee-paying enrolments in public higher education

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

1994. 1995. 1996. 1997. 1998. 1999. 2000. 2001. 2002. 2003. 2004. 2005. 2006. 2007.

Full-years

International postgraduate enrolments

Increase in postgraduates

(1,371 in 1999 to 4,368 in 2004) initially resulted in a declining proportion of international postgrad students.

Total international postgrad enrolments rose to 5,154 in 2007 (incl. Honours, Masters, and Doctorate students).

International postgraduate enrolments in public higher education

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

1999. 2000. 2001. 2002. 2003. 2004. 2005. 2006. 2007.

Inte

rnat

iona

l pos

tgra

duat

e en

rolm

ents

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

Prop

ortio

n of

inte

rnat

iona

l enr

olm

ents

in

high

er e

duca

tion

International PhD EnrolmentsInternational PhD enrolments by subject category

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

2004 2005 2006 2007

Intern

ation

al Ph

D en

rolme

nts

Z

M

L

J

H

G

C

B

A

Funding Categories from 2006

General Description

A Arts, Social Sciences

B Computer Science, Fine Arts, Design

C Architecture, Engineering, Health Sciences

G Dentistry, Medicine

H Specialist Large Animal Science

J Business, Accountancy, Management Science

L Science

M Agriculture, Horticulture

Z

Part Two – Are they satisfied? MoE 2008 - NZ Ministry of Education (2008) Experiences of

International Students in New Zealand – Report 2007 on the Results of the National Survey – May 2008

i-graduate 2007 - THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BAROMETER FOR NEW ZEALAND 2007 Summary Findings for General Release 08/08/2007 W: www.i-graduate.org

i-graduate 2008 – Benchmarking the International Student Experience in New Zealand – presentation to ENZ conference – Auckland August 2008

CCE 2006 - Christchurch College of Education (2006) – Final report for the Evaluation of the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students - September 2006.

MoE 2008

A sample of 2,677 international students, representative of actual numbers and distribution of international students

“I am satisfied with my life in New Zealand.”

Only 29% of students disagreed 40% agree – 31% neutral

i-graduate 2007

At 5 New Zealand universities during May and June 2007 gathering feedback from over 3,500 international students

Across 67 elements of the international student experience 77% of students in the

ISB NZ were “satisfied”

i-graduate 2008

46 New Zealand tertiary education providers feedback from 7224 international students - 124 nationalities

Overall satisfaction with the international student experience

NZ Universities – 86%ITPs – 85%

Language Schools – 89%

CCE 2006

A web-based survey between April and July 2006 – responses from 1872 international students from 40 countries

Students were asked how difficult they found it to adapt to living in New Zealand.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

1 (none) 2 3 4 5 (major)

Rating

No.

stu

den

ts

CCE 2006

Students were asked whether they had faced any “big problems”

while in New Zealand.

72% of respondents indicated that they had not experienced any “big

problems” living in New Zealand.

What are they satisfied with?

MoE 2008 Being In New Zealand

64% of students in identified NZ as their first choice.

Choice was influenced by NZ being – an English-speaking country, – safety – quality – recognition of NZ qualifications– cost

What are they satisfied with?

MoE 2008 Academic progress72% of students were moderately to very satisfied with the progress they were making with their studies

Institutional services and facilitiesThe percentage of students rating services good or excellent was

library (75%) computing services (71%) international student offices (70%) learning support (62%)

What are they satisfied with?

i-graduate 2007 Where ISB NZ outperformed ISB-06

opening a bank account welcome living costs ability to earn money while studying

What are they satisfied with?

i-graduate 2008

Arrival - Uni 85%; ITP 87%; ELS – 93%World Leading– Opening bank account, airport welcome/pick-upWorld class– Orientation, accommodation office, registration, meeting

staff

What are they satisfied with?

i-graduate 2008

Learning - Uni 88%; ITP 87%; ELS – 89%World Leading– Opportunity for research students to teachWorld class– Teachers, library, learning spaces, course content,

assessment, learning support

What are they satisfied with?

i-graduate 2008

Living - Uni 84%; ITP 84%; ELS – 88%World Leading– Social activities, social facilitiesWorld class– Safety, accommodation, good place to be

What are they satisfied with?

CCE 2006 I love New Zealand, I love the people and the lifestyle. I would love to work here after I graduate if I can

It’s a wonderful place for being an international student because people here are really friendly and there is always help available at our fingertips if wanted. We are very well taken care of. Thank you

I love the people here and my lecturers are very helpful. ..its been a great experience with great people, great fun (rugby exposure) and great food too

What are they satisfied with?

CCE 2006 It’s a beautiful country, no pollution, great food and wine, everyone you meet on the streets smile back at you. and the bakeries! I have made some wonderful friends

The system of education is really good as it doesn’t put too much strain and I especially appreciate assignments, as they really make you research and think about the topic. The teachers are very supportive and approachable, something I haven’t experienced before.

What are they not satisfied with?

MoE 2008 Financial advice services (only 35% good or excellent) Buddy or mentor programmes (46%) Living arrangements

– Value for money

– Rules and regulations

– Access to internet Making friends

– 34% of students reported that making NZ friends was difficult – 23% reported having no NZ friends.

– 61% of students indicated they would like to have more NZ friends

What are they not satisfied with?

MoE 2008

Finding work in NZ – – 22% found this very or extremely difficult;

Social relationships – 20% found making NZ friends very or extremely

difficult– 61% indicated they would like to have more NZ

friends

What are they not satisfied with?

i-graduate 2007 Where ISB-06 outperformed ISB NZ

Elements relating to technology –– Getting email / web access on arrival– IT support– Overall Internet access– Technology used in the learning process

Social activities Meeting friends from other countries recommend their university to prospective students

– only 70% in ISB NZ indicated they would – well below the ISB-06 figure of 83%

What are they not satisfied with?

i-graduate 2008

Arrival meeting students from other countries

Learning technology, advice on long-term work opportunities,

opportunities for work placement

Living and support services internet access IT support Finance department Careers advice

What are they not satisfied with?

CCE 2006 “Big problems” – n = 1872

0 50 100 150 200 250

study

money

accommodation

health

homesick

relationships

friendships

family

driving

bullying

immigration

pregnancy

sexuality

harassment

victim of crime

gambling

No. times mentioned

What are they not satisfied with?

CCE 2006 I think one of the major problems in my university is that there is no chance, or very little chance for Kiwi and International students to communicate with each other.

the students related many instances of harassment, bullying and racism that they had experienced personally,

There were 113 unsolicited comments on the question of discrimination against international students

What are they not satisfied with?

CCE 2006 . I don't mean racism as in someone plans to hurt an Asian student. I just mean lots of comments in conversation about how Asian students all have sports cars and drive unsafely, or about how certain places were better to live before all the Asians came

When inviting students to come to NZ for study, let them know that there are times they may be harassed or discriminated against because of their skin colour and where they come from while being a resident here

Are there significant differences between different groups of students?

MOE 2008 – education sector“I am satisfied with my life in New Zealand”

29% of all students disagree (n=2638)– 21% of secondary school students disagree (n=464)– 37% of ITP students disagree (n=410)

40% of all students agree– 49% of secondary students agree – 37% of university students agree– 30% of ITP students agree

Are there significant differences between different groups of students?

MOE 2008 – location in NZ“I am satisfied with my life in New Zealand”

29% of all students disagree (n=2638)– 19% of students in the South Island outside Christchurch

(n=248)– 33% of students in Auckland (n=1238)

40% of all students China (31% neutral)– 55% in South Island outside Chirstchurch– 36% in Auckland

Are there significant differences between different groups of students?

MOE 2008 - nationality“I am satisfied with my life in New Zealand”

29% of all students disagree (n=2638)– 47% of students from China disagree (n=1099)– 17% of all other students disagree (n=1539)

17% of students from China agree (35% neutral) 56% of other students agree (27% neutral)

Are there significant differences between different groups of students?

MOE 2008 – education sector“New Zealanders have generally positive views towards international students”

41% of all students disagree (n=2655)– 33% of students from school disagree (n=462)– 48% of ITP students disagree (n=412)

25% of all students agree – 29% of school students agree – 18% of ITP students agree

Are there significant differences between different groups of students?

MOE 2008 – location in NZ“New Zealanders have generally positive views towards international students”

41% of all students disagree (n=2647)– 45% of students in Auckland (n=1244)– 35% South Island outside Christchurch (n=250)

25% of all students agree– 23% of students in Auckland agree – 31% of students in South Island outside Christchurch

agree

Are there significant differences between different groups of students?

MOE 2008 - nationality“New Zealanders have generally positive views towards international students”

41% of all students disagree (n=2647)– 62% of students from China disagree (n=1107)– 26% of all other students disagree (n=1540)

10% of students from China agree (29% neutral) 37% of other students agree (37% neutral)

What are their future plans?

MOE 2008

16% indicated they planned to do more study in NZ

42% indicated they planned to find immediate employment in NZ

64% of students from China

61% indicated they planned to apply for permanent residence in NZ

76% of students from China

What are their future plans?

i-graduate 200711% planned further study in NZ

38% indicated they planned to seek employment in NZ – 22% long-term; 16% temporary

It's hard to study in not only New Zealand but also any other foreign countries. For me, it was the right choice to come over here and try different culture, study and sports.

I've been here for 2 years but sometimes I still feel confused and lonely. However, there is no better country to go than here so just come here and go hard.

Trying to make many kiwi friends and not to care about what the other people say are the way I improved my English and got better off at my reports. Try to be involved in many activities such as playing instruments, choir, Amnesty International, librarian, Crest (science projects scheme), young vinnies (St Vincent de Paul Society) , young enterprise, peer support, special character etc.. They will drag you out of the homesick and loneliness.. I hope all Koreans can accomplish their dreams and hopes. Good luck for all the people who study in the foreign country. No pain No gain.. Give yourself a go!