Keywords
international students
study abroad
higher education
How to Cite
Abstract
Globalisation is driving the internationalisation of higher education, promoting open access to universities, enhancing educational programs with an international focus, and stronger presence in the international higher education market. Thus, globalisation stimulates the internationalisation of universities. For universities to attract international students successfully, it is necessary to understand general issues regarding the decision-making process. The study aims to analyse the benefits of studying abroad at a Hungarian university among international students. To fulfil the aim of this study, a questionnaire was administered to 100 international students, aged 18 to 38. The study results showed that international students had been looking for benefits while studying abroad, such as personal development, cultural experience, career prospects, and the possibility of travelling. Some benefits were also related to social and economic factors such as access to unique courses and knowledge, positive country image, safety situation, and affordable living costs in Hungary. The decision to study at a Hungarian university was made according to such benefits, including a desired program of study, comfortable facilities, flexible schedule, admission criteria, opportunity to improve English language skills, good reputation of the university, European degree, supportive environment, related costs, and future career prospects. At the same time, different age groups of international students considered the importance of benefits differently. Also, different groups of international students based on perceived social family status paid attention to different benefits. The findings of this study can be used for the promotion of Hungarian universities internationally to attract more international students with benefits that they look for when studying abroad.
References
Anderson, B. D. (2007). Students in a global village: The nexus of choice, expectation, and experience in study abroad (Doctoral dissertation). Austin: University of Texas.
Anderson, R & Bhati, A (2012). 'Indian students' choice of study destination: reasons for choosing Singapore', International Journal of Innovative Interdisciplinary Research, 1(2), 66-76.
Binsardi A., & Ekwulugo F. (2003), “International marketing of British education: research on the students’ perception and the UK market penetration”, Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 21 (5),318-327. https://doi.org/10.1108/02634500310490265
Bodycott, P. (2009), 'Choosing a higher education study abroad destination What mainland Chinese parents and students rate as important', Journal of research in International education, 8(3), 349-373. https://doi.org/10.1177/1475240909345818
Borodina, D. (2023). International students' motivation to study abroad -"Why are you studying at a Hungarian university?", Journal of Education in Black Sea Region, 7(2), 24-40. https://doi.org/10.31578/jebs.v7i2
Bourke, A. (2000). 'A Model of the Determinants of International Trade in Higher Education', Service Industries Journal, 20(1), 110-138. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642060000000007
Brassington, F., Pettitt, S. (2000). Principles of Marketing. 2nd ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
Chen C. H., Zimitat C. (2006). Understanding Taiwanese students’ decision-making factors regarding Australian international higher education. International Journal of Educational Management, 20, 91-100. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540610646082
Counsell, D. (2011). 'Chinese students abroad: Why they choose the UK and how they see their future', China: an international journal, 9(1), 48 71. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540610646091
Creswell, J.W., & Creswell, J.D. (2018). Research Design. Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Cubillo, M. J., Sánchez, J., & Cerviño, J. (2006). International students’ decision-making process. International Journal of Educational Management, 20(2), 101-115. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540610646091
Dassin, J. R., & Navarrete, D. (2018). International scholarships and social change: Elements for a new approach. In J. Dassin, R. Marsh, & M. Mawer (Eds.), International scholarships in higher education (305–327). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62734-2_15
Deci, E.L., Vallerand, R.J., Pelletier, L.G., & Ryan, R.M. (1991). Motivation in education: The self-determination perspective. The Educational Psychologist, 26, 325-346. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.1991.9653137
Eder, J, Smith, W.W., & Pitts, R.E. (2010). 'Exploring factors influencing student study abroad destination choice', Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism, 10(3), 232-250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313220.2010.503534
Freed, B. F. (1998). An overview of issues and research in language learning in a study abroad setting. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10, 151-163. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v4i1.62
Hemsley-Brown J. (2012). The best education in the world: Reality, repetition or cliché? International students’ reasons for choosing an English university. Studies in Higher Education, 37, 1005-1022. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2011.562286
Hemsley-Brown, J., & Oplatka, I. (2015). 'University choice: what do we know, what don't we know and what do we still need to find out?', International Journal of Educational Management, 29(3), 254-274. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-10-2013-0150
Hilal, K. T. (2013). Between the fears and hopes for a different future for the nation-states: Scholarship programs in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates from a public policy standpoint. International Journal of Higher Education, 2(2), 195–210. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v2n2p195
Ivy, J. (2010). 'Choosing futures: influence of ethnic origin in university choice', International Journal of Educational Management, 24(5), 391-403. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513541011055965
Kéri, A. (2018): The PLS-SEM path analysis of foreign students’ motivation and expectations at a Hungarian university. Udvari, Beáta; Voszka, Éva (szerk.) Challenges in national and international economic policies. Szeged, JATEPress, 176-197.
Kesi?, T., Piri Rajh, S. (2004). 5. Ponašanje potroša?a. In Previši?, J., and Ozreti? Došen, ?. (Eds.). (2004). Marketing (II. izmijenjeno i dopunjeno izdanje ed.). Zagreb: Adverta.
Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2006). Marketing management. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Lee, C.F. (2014). 'An Investigation of Factors Determining the Study Abroad Destination Choice: A Case Study of Taiwan', Journal of Studies in International Education, 18(4), 362-81. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315313497061
Lie, M., & Bray, M. (2007). “Cross-border flows of students for higher education: Push-pull factors and motivations of main land Chinese students in Hong Kong and Macau”, Higher Education, 53, 791-818. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-005-5423-3
Maringe, F. (2006). 'University and course choice: Implications for positioning, recruitment and marketing', International Journal of Educational Management, 20(6), 466-479. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540610683711
Maringe F., & Carter, S. (2007). International students’ motivations for studying in UK HE: Insights into the choice and decision making of African students. International Journal of Educational Management, 21, 459-475. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540710780000
Maringe, F., & Foskett, N. (2010). Globalization and Internationalization in Higher Education. Theoretical, Strategic and Management Perspectives. London: Continuum International Publishing Group. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2013.810275
Maringe, F., & Gibbs, P. (2009). Marketing higher education: theory and practice. London: Open University Press, International Journal of Educational Management, 12(4),163-175.
Mazzarol, T. W. (1998). Critical success factors for international education marketing. International Journal of Educational Management, 12, 163-175. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513549810220623
Mazzarol, T., & Soutar, G. N. (2002). “Push-pull” factors influencing international student destination choice. International Journal of Educational Management, 16(2), 82-90. http://doi.org/10.1108/09513540210418403
McCarthy, E. E., Sen, A. K. & Garrity, B. F. (2012). Factors that influence Canadian students’ choice of higher education institutions in The United States. Business Education & Accreditation, 4(2),85-95.
Nguyen, H. C. (2013). 'Vietnamese international student mobility: past and current trends', Asian Education & Development Studies, 2(2), 127-148. https://doi.org/10.1108/20463161311321411
Petzold, K., & Moog, P. (2018). What shapes the intention to study abroad? An Experimental Approach. Higher Education, 75(1), 35–54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-017-0119-z
Pimpa, N. (2003), 'The influence of family on Thai students' choices of international education', International Journal of Educational Management, 17(5), 211-219. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540310484931
Pimpa, N. (2005). A family affair: The effect of family on Thai students’ choices of international education. Higher Education, 49, 431-448. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-004-2825-6
Pis'mennaia, E.E. (2010). 'The Migration of Foreign Students to Russia', Russian Education & Society, 52(1), 69-80. https://doi.org/10.2753/RES1060-9393520105
Price, I, Matzdorf, F, Smith, L., & Agahi, H. (2003). 'The impact of facilities on student choice of university', Facilities, 21(10), 212-222. https://doi.org/10.1108/02632770310493580
Pugach, V.F. (2012). 'Mobile Students in Russia's Higher Education', Russian Education and Society, 54(4), 32-46. https://doi.org/10.2753/RES1060-9393540404
Rooijen, M.V. (2015). 'Location is key to attracting foreign students', University World News, 359.
Russell, M. (2005), “Marketing education – a review of service quality perceptions among international students”, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 17(1), 65-77. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596110510577680
Schmidt, S., & Pardo, M. (2017). The contribution of study abroad to human capital formation. The Journal of Higher Education, 88(1), 135–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.2016.1243951
Singh, JKN, Schapper, J & Jack, G. (2014). 'The importance of place for international students’ choice of university: A case study at a Malaysian university', Journal of Studies in International Education, 8(5), 463-474. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315314523990
Stipendium Hungaricum Programme: Operational Regulations, 20-23. https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/uploads/2020/03/SH_MSZ_210730_honlap_EN.pdf
Tick, A., Saur, S., Uhegbu, C.U., Aju-Amen, E., Abdulhaleem, H., & Alkhaldi, S. (2022). ‘How Perception of Lecturing Modes and Methods Boost University Recommendations - Case Study of Óbuda University”, Practice and Theory in Systems of Education, 17(2), 78-94.
Waibel, S., Rüger, H., Ette, A., & Sauer, L. (2017). Career consequences of transnational educational mobility: A systematic literature review. Educational Research Review, 20, 81–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2016.12.0
Yang, M. (2007). 'What attracts mainland Chinese students to Australian higher education', Studies in Learning, Evaluation, Innovation and Development, 4(2), 1-12.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2023 Daria Borodina, Ádrian Estrela