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Exploring Motivations and Experiences of UK Learners Abroad

This study delves into the motivations, experiences, and needs of UK learners considered as 'international students'. The research uncovers insights on personal development, socio-cultural enrichment, challenges faced, and coping strategies utilized by these learners. The findings highlight the positive impacts on maturity, self-sufficiency, and cultural understanding, alongside academic hurdles and integration difficulties. By analyzing the responses through inductive category building, the study offers valuable insights into the intrinsic motivations and needs of UK learners studying abroad. The research sheds light on the significance of self-reliance as a coping mechanism, emphasizing the importance of the right attitude and social behavior in navigating the international student experience. The study concludes by suggesting implications for future support mechanisms and self-efficacy training for UK learners pursuing education overseas.

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Exploring Motivations and Experiences of UK Learners Abroad

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  1. “Brits abroad: the motivations, experiences and needs of UK learners as ‘international students’ ”Brendan Bartram • Why? • Under-represented angle: • “...less is known about movement in the other direction – that is, the mobility of Australian university students.” (Olsen, 2008:364) • Dwindling numbers - until recently (British Council, 2008) • In England: casual xenophobia, political & commercial insularity, acceptance of mono-lingualism (Coleman, 2009)

  2. Methodology Online survey 12 open-ended questions Link emailed to 5 English universities 159 respondents (91% UG, 9% PG) Selectivity effects – representative? 45 institutions in Europe, N. & S. America, Asia Range of degrees – education, engineering, business studies, biology…. Responses analysed through ‘inductive category building’

  3. Findings Motivation Personal development – 60 “to challenge myself personally and to become more independent” “wanted to broaden my perspectives and attitudes” Socio-cultural motives – 46 “I wanted to experience a different culture, people & way of life…” Sense of adventure – 21 “it was the excitement of doing something different, a desire to travel and see places and flying the nest in style!” Qualification/employability – 17 “I wanted the TESOL qualification and to move to Canada later on to work.” Cf. Ipsos Mori Unite Poll (2006): Career enhancement = major motive international students in UK

  4. Findings Experience - despite challenges – positive Positive experiences – socio-cultural enrichment & personal development “greater maturity, better self-sufficiency, confidence and patience, and a deeper understanding of different ways of living.” “loved meeting people, embracing a new culture, learning new insights…amazing sights and understandings, not just from a tourist perspective.” Negative experiences – academic challenge “Some lecturers just won’t make the effort to understand your Spanish.” Integration with local students – notable difficulty for half (cf. Summers & Volet, 2008) “The locals aren’t interested in getting to know you, so we tended to stick together with other exchange students.”

  5. Findings Needs Academic – 47 Practical – 34 Socio-emotional – 18 Most noted coping strategy – self-reliance (53) – effective? – 2/3 felt needs not met…. Strong perception of ‘the right attitude’ & social behaviour: “Perseverance and the right attitude are key. In Poland, I just decided to see all my problems as a sitcom and have a good laugh – and see everything as a learning opportunity!”

  6. Conclusions Intrinsic motivation – cf. extrinsic motivation of ‘other’ international students – perhaps related to sojourn length/differently positioned? Experiencesoverall related to personal development & socio-cultural enrichment: shifts in self-identity & values – inter-cultural personhood? Academic & integrational challenges – much in line with other studies of international students Needs – if self-reliance = major coping strategy – prior self-efficacy training?

  7. References British Council (2008) Number of UK students choosing to study abroad with Erasmus continues to rise, press release, 6 November. Coleman, J.A. (2009) Why the British do not learn languages: myths and motivation in the UK, Language Learning Journal, 37, 1, pp. 111-127 IPSOS Mori/Unite (2006) The International Student Experience Report, http://www.ipsos-mori.com/assets/docs/archive/polls/unite-international.pdf Olsen, A. (2008) International Mobility of Australian university students, Journal of Studies in International Education, 12, 4, pp. 364-374 Summers M & Volet S (2008)Students’ attitudes towards culturally mixed groups on international campuses, Studies in Higher Education, 33, 4, pp.357-370 Bartram, B. (2011) Going the other way: the motivations and experiences of UK learners as ‘international students in Blythman, M & Sovic S, International Students Negotiating Higher Education, London: Rooutledge

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