Experiences of international students in New Zealand

1. 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

2. 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.

3. Key source countries

4. 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.

5. 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).

6. International PhD Enrolments

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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”

10. 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%

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. What are they satisfied with? • MoE 2008 • Academic progress • 72% of students were moderately to very satisfied with the progress they were making with their studies • Institutional services and facilities • The percentage of students rating services good or excellent was • library (75%) • computing services (71%) • international student offices (70%) • learning support (62%)

15. 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

16. What are they satisfied with? • i-graduate 2008 • Arrival - Uni 85%; ITP 87%; ELS – 93% World Leading • Opening bank account, airport welcome/pick-up World class • Orientation, accommodation office, registration, meeting staff

17. What are they satisfied with? • i-graduate 2008 • Learning - Uni 88%; ITP 87%; ELS – 89% World Leading • Opportunity for research students to teach World class • Teachers, library, learning spaces, course content, assessment, learning support

18. What are they satisfied with? • i-graduate 2008 • Living - Uni 84%; ITP 84%; ELS – 88% World Leading • Social activities, social facilities World class • Safety, accommodation, good place to be

19. 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

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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%

24. 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

25. What are they not satisfied with? • CCE 2006 “Big problems” – n = 1872

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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)

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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)

34. 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

35. What are their future plans? • i-graduate 2007 • 11% planned further study in NZ • 38% indicated they planned to seek employment in NZ • 22% long-term; 16% temporary

36. 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!