The impact of international students on domestic students and host institutions

Published 2001. Contact: Colleen Ward

Overview

This literature review considers the educational, social and cultural impacts of international students on domestic students, educational institutions and host communities. It was prepared for the Export Education Policy Project of the New Zealand Ministry of Education.

The review was commissioned to inform policy development and effective planning in the area of international education, particularly with respect to full fee-paying students. The review of international and local materials was directed to consider social, cultural and educational impacts of international students on domestic students and on secondary and tertiary educational institutions. Five key areas were identified for review:

• What is the nature of the interaction and relationship between international and domestic students?
• What is the nature of the interaction and relationships between international students and host communities?
• What is the comparative usage of institutional support facilities by international and domestic students?
• What is the impact of international students on teaching and learning?
• What are the conditions under which positive benefits of internationalisation are likely to be realised?

Outcome

Research that addresses the five key questions on the impact of international students has been somewhat limited, and studies that are available are almost exclusively conducted with the international rather than domestic students and confined to research in tertiary institutions. In response to these limitations, the following research priorities are recommended:

• Research with domestic students, particularly at the secondary level.
• Research with teachers
• Research with home stay families
• Research within the community.
• Experimental lab or classroom based studies
• Evaluation studies of intervention strategies
• Longitudinal studies.

Guidelines for the design and evaluation of intervention programmes are also offered, and emphasis is placed on the importance of disseminating research. Finally, it is noted that New Zealand has an excellent opportunity to emerge as a leader in evidence-based policy and programme development of international initiatives, provided that commitment is made to fostering research in this area.

You can read the full report here.