Internationalization of Education - Report Example

Running Head: Internationalization of Education [Internationalization of education] [Insert your name here] [Insert your tutors name here] [Insert the name of the institution] [Date due] Introduction Many scholars have argued with no proper solution regarding internationalization of education. However much, does internationalization of education have positive and negative effects on both home and the host countries? My answer to this thesis statement will be yes because I will argue that facts and figures from research analyzed below give me good reasons to believe so. Before embarking on the analyses, it is paramount to note that majority of higher learning institutions welcome internationalization of education with Europe topping the slot followed by North America, Middle East, Latin America and to the bottom Caribbean islands. Worldwide, the top five reasons for internationalizing an institution are, in order of importance, to improve student preparedness; internationalize the curriculum; enhance the international profile of the institution; strengthen research and knowledge production; and diversify its faculty and staff. However, when the information is analyzed by regions, interesting variations are found. For instance, both North America and Latin America give much more importance to international preparedness of students than Europe. Interestingly, institutions in Africa consider as the more important internationalization rationale, to strengthen research and knowledge production. The Middle East gives the highest importance equally to improving student preparedness and also strengthening research. On the other hand, these regions concurred that main problems coming with internationalization of education are; brain drain-point supported by African region, derail in education standards especially to the host countries, culture erosion particularly to students studying in America. Benefits of Internationalization of Education to home countries Benefits of internationalization of education to home countries are multifaceted. To begin with, it provides home countries with high skilled workers with important global networks, which could be important in business. Not to forget that daily technological developments need an urgent answer. Similarly, our industries and banking sectors need to upgrade their services in order to cope with the ever changing trends and demands. These needs will be met only if our students gain international education and experience. Evidence for the fact is provided by Christian Yan Zhang, international officer at the national union of students (NUS). She argues that for the past two decades, were not for international skills, UK business could be at stand still. In short, it helps in building wider networks and a greater diversity of experience which enhances the home country’s position in the global economy (www.independent.co.uk) Secondly, it is in the mother country’s interest they send their students out to participate in abroad programs. Students allowed to study outside the country acts as the ambassadors to their countries. In this manner, even if the host country has no clue about the mother country’s culture and policies, a representative will always make her or his country shine in all scopes. It has been realized that presence of this students in foreign universities will positively affect the humanizing effect to a more favorable image of the mother country. Such accord will never be realised if these students are not allowed to study abroad and sell the name of their respective mother countries. Another benefit to the home country is that international experience creates students who are easily employable with other international bodies operating in their countries. This is contretised by a 2007 British Council report, in which 60 percent of the UK’s top 20 employers indicated that experience of international study enhances employability. Surveyed taken by Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) revealed that students with international experience are round to take position with non-governmental organizations in their home countries rather than employing from abroad. Nevertheless, the biggest threat of internationalization of education to home countries is that the country loses thousands of dollars to host countries in the name of tuition fees. Report by institute of international education (US) reveals that students from US seeking international education in the academic year 2003-2004 were 191,234. This was an increase of about 9.5% from the academic year before. And basically, assuming each student accumulates a debt of about $120,000 by the end of study, it becomes a massive loss to the home country by the end of study. Another threat is that when these students take foreign courses, they might fail to return home. This might negatively influence credibility of the nation thus leading to what is called ‘brain drain’ Smith admits that, “there a risk that the UK could lose talent, thereby compromising our reputation and threatening the strength and capability of our research” (www.independent.co.uk). Studies have shown that internationalization of education erodes culture of the mother countries. Developing countries term education gained by their sons and daughters as “westernized” they believe that the system of education offered by these institutions impart values alien to local cultures. These values are related to what they call “pop”. A good example of this argument emerged in Indonesia where critics had it that the students seemed to have lost their cultural identity when they return home. Benefits of Internationalization of Education to host countries On the other hand, the host country enjoys massive benefits from international students. Most importantly, they get sizeable revenue from the program. Britain and Australia for instance regard this program as a notable export industry. Going by Department for Education and Skills, Student Income and Expenditure Survey 2004/05 report, total fees and other expenditure injected in the UK economy by international students between 2004 and 2005 was £3.74: £866 million by EU students and £2.87 billion by non-EU students. The second benefit regards curricula. It is known that countries differ to great length in the curriculum designs. These differences also occur among different states or provinces within a given country. In most countries when comparison education is done, curriculum varies in the emphases given to subjects and modalities of handling that given subject. One of the benefits of internationalization of education to the host country is the obligation the student from abroad put to their curriculum when they return they arrive in these countries. A curriculum on a particular subject or a field of study may be overhauled or thoroughly scrutinized if found to be outdated. The main of doing this will be to ensure that methods of teaching, testing and contents of that particular subject are in line with the modern job trends. This will not have been possible if these students were not allowed to further their studies elsewhere. It has also been realized that international students in Australia promote long lasting goodwill and international understanding between the host country and other parts of the world. Thanks to schemes likes Colombo plan that promotes economic and social development. Research reveals that along Asia-pacific areas, top workers are either Australian University alumni are currently study in Australia. This has been able to positively influence their view about Australia other than promoting the image of the country globally. The other benefit is that these countries benefit through the skilled manpower who adds new tricks in the host country. For instance, the high technology industries found in California have done well because of the supply of clever Chinese and Indians, many of whom first came as students. debatepedia.idebate.org Just like home countries, host countries do experience disadvantages of foreign students studying in the country. They suffer from what Archer calls, circulation of brain. By this, he categorically explains that UK is being brain washed by students who eventually take skills and experiences away from them. Many students from the host country have been complaining about how the quality of education has been compromised at the expense of the so called “foreign students.” They feel that education has become profit oriented. Most universities in UK, Australia and US are out of control. Admissions of students overwhelm available tutors and lecturers who are supposed to handle them. This has resulted in poor education standards because there are common cases where one tutor is supposed to handle over 200 students. A student from university of western Sydney said, “Many Australian students feel like second class citizens at their own universities. You can't or won't say anything because you are instantly branded a racist, when you are not. Tolerance is a two way street.” It is a big blow to the host country because of the idea that money paid by international students interfere with university testing, marking and awarding. While I can deny this idea based on my experience, this idea breaches the code of ethics most American universities work with. The idea that sometimes chancellors and tutors may dictate marking and grading system for commercial purposes has been derailing education standards in US. This is to say that American Universities have the tendency of marking foreign students leniently so as to benefit financially has been another factor many people discourage international students in America. Conclusion Just like smith admitted, if my opinion was to be consulted, I believe without internationalization of education, we shall be running a stagnated economy. In as much as it may put extra financial constraint to the economy of home country, ignoring it will be inviting ‘education tsunami’ ask anybody opposing this move if he supports the never ending world seminars because the two serves equal purposes. Given the enormous benefits that the host and mother countries get from internationalization of education, why should there be restrictions and reservations regarding the ever increasing international students? If governments (for the host and mother country) do not appreciate international students then the economy and the system of education will be highly compromised. If my opinion was to be sought I will categorically argue that those against internationalization of education rely merely on assumptions and theories that in most cases, lack support from data and evidence. For those who still doubt, it will be interesting to take a look at the comprehensive third Global Survey Report on Internationalization of Higher Education, released by International Association of Universities (IAU). References Institute of International Education. 2006. Open Doors 2005: Report on International Educational Exchange. http://opendoors.iienetwork.org. Accessed on October 4, 2006. Department for Education and Skills, Student Income and Expenditure Survey 2004/05 (Research Report no. 725, 2006) http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Foreign_students_benefit_countries_economically through_tuition_and_expenditures accessed 2nd December, 2011. http://www.independent.co.uk/student/study-abroad/gain-or-drain-how-study-abroad-affects-our-economy-2282838.html accessed 2nd December, 2011. Read More