There’s an article in “International Higher Education” Fall 2011, entitled, “What International Students Think about US Higher Education” by Patricia Chow. As it included Thailand in the survey, it is even more relevant to us ka.
The author pointed out that the US hosted a record high of 691,000 international students from over 200 places of origin in 2009/10 and so the Institute of International Education and the State Department conducted a series of surveys in 11 key original places with Thailand as one as well. They got 9,330 valid responses (didn’t specify how many sent out na ka.)
The questions explored were, ‘Why do students from other countries wish to study in the US’, ‘What course of study do they intend to pursue?’, ‘Do they prefer the US to other key destinations?’, and ‘What barriers do students face as they wish to study in the US?’
The existing patterns of global student mobility –out of the 3.3 million students worldwide, 20% is in the US while others are as follows: 13% in the UK, 8% in France, 7% in Germany, China, and Australia, and 4% in Canada and Japan.
The results showed that the US is still the first-choice destination from 75% of prospective study-abroad students….because of its wide range of schools and programs (we have lots!), high-quality higher education system (Um! In doubt mai ka?!), and welcoming atmosphere for international students (Yes!), many scholarship opportunities (Limited?) and good student support services (professional and systematic?). I think the English language being an international language makes it easier too na ka.
The barriers to study in the US include high tuition fees, and complex student visa procedures.
Though it seems that the surveys only confirmed what we already know, it made me think back of our country as I put in parentheses lae ka. While we always want to be a hub of education or learning or whatever, do we have any serious surveys similar to the one above? Do we know our own strengths and weaknesses best? Have our current foreign students answered some of those simple questions, and what about prospective students……do we know where they are and how to find them?
The ambition (hollow policy !) to become a regional hub seems to be unrealistic as only the beauty of Thai culture, gentle and friendly Thais can’t sell lae ka!
Could the Office of the Higher Education Commission come up with some sort of national surveys dee mai ka?
Warm regards,
Porntip
Tue 1/24/2012 4:03 PM
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