International student

International student

International students are students, usually in early adulthood, who study in foreign educational institutions. While most universities have official student exchange programs, some well-funded high schools have them, too. Although some students travel abroad mainly to improve their language skills, others travel to advance their specialized studies. Still others study abroad because suitable tertiary education is either in short supply or unavailable altogether in their home countries. In addition, in many parts of the world, a foreign degree, especially if earned from certain countries, is honored more than a local one.

Prospective international students are usually required to sit for language tests, such as IELTS [http://www.ielts.org/] & TOEFL [http://www.ets.org] (English speaking education), DELF [http://french.about.com/] (French speaking education) or DELE [http://www.donquijote.org/english/courses.dele.asp] (Spanish speaking education), before they are admitted. Tests notwithstanding, while some international students already possess an excellent command of the local language upon arrival, some find their language ability, considered excellent domestically, inadequate for the purpose of understanding lectures, and/or of conveying oneself fluently in rapid conversations.

Many countries force international students to pay higher tuition than citizens of the country. This discrimination is usually justified by the argument that the students' parents do not pay taxes in the country. The fact that a large number of international students decide to settle in the country where they are studying and become productive citizens is, however, ignored in such cases.

Criticisms

International student programs have over the years encountered a number of criticisms, both from the host countries and from the international students themselves. While some of the criticisms are well-founded, others are based on misperceptions or even racism.

International student programs can be a politically sensitive issue in the host countries. Opponents of the programs fear that international students would take the limited university placements away from local students. Proponents of the programs counter this belief by arguing that the high fees paid by international students enable universities to maintain, or even increase, placements for local students.

It is not unusual for international students to encounter language problems in the host countries. Despite the pre-admission language tests — which might give the students a false sense of mastery over a foreign language — students often find it difficult to understand the coursework, and some might feel that their lecturers are unhelpful in explaining the coursework to them. Academics, under pressure from cash-strapped university authorities to retain international students, sometimes make the courses easier, to the resentment of many local students. It has been speculated that language difficulties may contribute to the problem of plagiarism, particularly in the form of using essay mills. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/plagiarism-rises-amid-funding-cuts/2006/11/22/1163871480372.html]

Finally, many would-be employers, especially those within the host countries, find some former international students have unsatisfactory language abilities, despite having earned university degrees.

A major drawback of International Students Programs is the reluctance of universities, in the host country, to face immigration limitations and expose them clearly to their incoming foreign students.
*They may have difficulties in obtaining a long term work visa.
*They may face as a consequence large salary gaps in comparison to their fellow nationals.
*The tuition fees may be too high with respect to their work prospects.
*They may be barred from high profile jobs where citizenship is a prerequisite.

ee also

*Immigration
*ISIC card
*Casaswap accommodation network
*International Baccalaureate
*Erasmus programme
*Fulbright Fellowship
*Student exchange program
*Japanese students in Britain
*Vulcanus in Japan
*International Students Day
*Barriers to employment for international students
*Apprentices mobility
*Goodwill Scholarships

Organizations

*
* International Union of Students
* Brethren Colleges Abroad
* Cultural Experiences Abroad
* Amizade

References

*1. http://www.ielts.org/ IELTS
*2. http://www.ets.org TOEFL
*3. http://french.about.com/ DELF
*4. http://www.donquijote.org/english/courses.dele.asp DELE
*5. http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/plagiarism-rises-amid-funding-cuts/2006/11/22/1163871480372.html Plagiarism rises amid funding cuts

External links

* [http://www.nafsa.org/ NAFSA's Official Website]
* [http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/int-ius.html International Union of Students]
* [http://www.bcanet.org/ Official Website for Brethren Colleges Abroad (BCA)]
* [http://www.amizade.org/ Official Website for Amizade]
* [http://gilallouche.com/2008/08/04/tips-for-the-international-student/ List of tips for international students coming to study in the U.S. -- Collected throughout the years from the international MBA students of Babson College]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • International Student/Young Pugwash — (ISYP) is an international organization that promotes awareness and action among students and young professionals in relation to ethical implications of science and technology policy, particularly matters of international security and weapons of… …   Wikipedia

  • International Student House Florence — (Флоренция,Италия) Категория отеля: Адрес: Via Faenza 67, 5012 …   Каталог отелей

  • International Student Week in Ilmenau — is a student festival, held annually in the town of Ilmenau, located in the district of Ilm Kreis, Thuringia, Germany.Open to students of all faculties around the world. It was established in 1993 and has taken place every two years since then.… …   Wikipedia

  • International Student Exchange, Ontario — (ISE Ontario) is a non profit organization based in Ontario, Canada that gives students the opportunity to embark on wide variety of student exchange programs. These types of programs were first organized in Ontario by the Ontario Ministry of… …   Wikipedia

  • International student volunteers — (ISV) is a California based non profit organization that provides educational volunteer and travel adventure programs to university students and youth internationally.Founded in 1982 by Randy Sykes under the name ‘Youth in Action’, ISV has been… …   Wikipedia

  • International Student Badminton Tournament — (ISBT) is a badminton tournament organised for students, by students. They take place all over Europe, including England, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Norway and Russia. ISBT s promote both the sport of badminton and the social aspect… …   Wikipedia

  • International Student Exchange Programs — Founded1979PresidentMary Anne GrantLocationWashington, D.C., United StatesMembership275Website [http://www.isep.org/ http://www.isep.org] Introduction The International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP) is a network of 275 post secondary… …   Wikipedia

  • International Student Film Festival (Belgrade) — The International Student Film Festival (FSF) is the first and only student film festival in Serbia. It was founded in Belgrade in 1999 by students of production and it has been entirely organized by students ever since. It is a cultural event… …   Wikipedia

  • International Student Identity Card — The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is a photo identification card that identifies the holder as a full time student. It currently is the only such form of identification that is internationally recognized. (Though not accepted at many …   Wikipedia

  • International Student Festival in Trondheim — ISFiT (International Student Festival In Trondheim) is a student festival held in Trondheim, Norway, every two years.The idea of an international student festival in Trondheim originated in 1988. Trondheim has always been a city with great… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”