ready for departure: an examination of an international...
TRANSCRIPT
Ready for Departure:An examination of an international student’sexpectations prior to studying overseas
ISANADECEMBER 2014
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What we will cover:
A student’s journey to study overseas
Pre departure
• Perceptions of Australia asa study destination
• Information access• Influence of online
technology
Post arrival
• Experience vs.expectations
• Benefit of hindsight
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IDP International Student Buyer Behavior Research2013 – Who responded?
Source: IDP Buyer Behaviour Research, Forethought Research, August 2013
› In August 2013, we surveyed online, over 1,100 students who used IDP services
14%
17%18%
48%3%
India 44% Singapore 4%China 10% Indonesia 4%Malaysia 7% Vietnam 4%Philippines 7% Hong Kong 3%Middle East 6% Others 11%
3 Commercial in Confidence 2013
Who responded: a bit more detail
6 in 10 students are/ intend
to be 1st family memberto study overseas 67% of students rely on
parents wholly or partially tofund their education
Majority surveyedwere
postgraduatesPG62%
UG23%
VET6%
Other9%
Engineeringand businessmost popularcourses of study
...26%
24%
16%
16%
10%
Engineering
Business
Info Technology
Econ., commerce…
Medicine, health…
Currentstudents
Prospectivestudents
50% 50%
Source: IDP Buyer Behaviour Research, Forethought Research, August 20134 Commercial in Confidence 2013
Pre departure
• Perceptions of Australia as a studydestination
• Information access• Influence of online/ technology
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Destination perceptions: All students
Worst Best
Australia
USA
UK
NZ
Government student visarequirements /policies
Safety
Quality of education
Affordability
Canada
LeaderNZ/ CND/
AUS
LeaderUSA
LeaderCND/ NZ
LeaderCND/ NZ
LeaderUSA/ CND/
AUS
Graduate employmentopportunities
Students were asked to rate their perception of each country on the following:
Source: IDP Buyer Behaviour Research, Forethought Research, August 20136 Commercial in Confidence 2013
Best things about studying or living in Australia
Student perceptions: Australia
“Australian universities are all highrated institutes and also theyprovide the better education asthey are world class universities”(India)
“You get to expand yourknowledge through theuse of evidence-basedpractices” (Philippines)
“Very friendly communityand the weather isbeautiful” (UAE)
“It is a multiculturalsociety so you can getto know people ofdiverse backgrounds”(Singapore)
Predeparture
Source: IDP Buyer Behaviour Research, Forethought Research, August 2013 Commercial in confidenceWord cloud compiled using www.worditout.com
Student perceptions: Australia
“…the cost of living andthe university fees isvery high.” (India)“…extremely cold
weather when we firstarrive in the winter”(Cambodia)
“The accommodation andliving costs are tooexpensive.” (China)
“Cost of living is highand getting around isnot easy” (Singapore)
Predeparture
Source: IDP Buyer Behaviour Research, Forethought Research, August 2013
Concerns or dislikes about studying or living in Australia
Word cloud compiled using www.worditout.comCommercial in confidence
Information needs prior to departure
Pre-departure information on
general living and academic lifewere seen as most useful…
47%
46%
37%
36%
28%
24%
20%
17%
12%
6%
5%
General living
Academic life
Accommodation options
Work while studying rules
Safety & health
Checklist of what to take
'How to' finances
Cultural
'How to' communications
Religious
Shopping & entertainment
Key information sources:• Education agents• Institutions – mainly Academic
life and Safety & health info• Family & friends in study country• Online
Source: IDP Buyer Behaviour Research, Forethought Research, August 20139 Commercial in Confidence 2013
The digital space
Increased usage of
2 or more devicesto access the internet
56%77%
2012 2013
Growth of the
smartphone>97%
BUT… Usage of social networksites differs by country
of students have an activesocial network account
2 in 5 saidsocial media influenced
their decision to studyoverseas
Source: IDP Buyer Behaviour Research, Forethought Research, August 201310 Commercial in Confidence 2013
Post arrival
• Experience vs. expectations• Benefit of hindsight
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OVERALL
Location of institution
Safety
Quality of education
Ease of obtaining student visa
Ability to improve Eng. lang skills
Lifestyle
Post graduate employment opp.
Ability to work part time
Affordability of studying abroad
Experience vs. expectations
-2.5
-1.4
-1.3
-0.1
-0.1
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.3
-0.2
Postarrival
Source: IDP Buyer Behaviour Research, Forethought Research, August 2013
Gap between expectation andsatisfaction
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The benefit of hindsight…(Australia)Postarrival
“I wish I knew differencesof seminar, lecture andtutorial, and what Australianaccent sounds like before Igot here.” (China)
“I wish I knew that getting parttime jobs is not that easy out hereunless you have strong referencesand I never knew that I would feelso homesick after coming here.”(India)
“I wish I did more research foranother country, such as EU orCanada. The reason is it turns outto be really expensive to studyingin Australia…” (Indonesia)
“Firstly, phone plan and sim card option…paying much more than I expected …Secondly, floor plan of the accommodationroom and the things that are available in theroom, so that I will not bring things that areunnecessary.” (China)
“Nothing really. Therewas nothing new tolearn. Everyday is a newadventure that I lookforward to.” (India)
“I wish I knew how to cook. Many ofthe residential halls here are self-catered, I struggled a lot when Ifirst reached. From buyinggroceries to using cookingutensils...” (Malaysia)
“The life styles andemployment opportunitiesfor self funding mystudies.” (Mauritius)
“I wish I knew that Australiawould be so cold …before Ileft.” (Philippines)
“The universitysystem of classes andexams.” (Oman)
Source: IDP Buyer Behaviour Research, Forethought Research, August 2013 Commercial in confidence
Thank youFor further information please contact:Lyndell Jacka,Head of Research, [email protected]