International Students: Understanding Their Unique Educational Journey

International students, also known as exchange students or foreign students, are those who undertake all or part of their secondary or tertiary education in a country other than their own. In 2021, there were over 6.39 million international students worldwide, with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia being the top three destinations. The number of international students in China has also been growing steadily since 2003, with China now being the leading destination for Anglophone African students. International students are considered to be internationally mobile, having obtained the entry qualifications for their current level of study in another country. Definitions of international student vary across countries, with the US defining them as individuals on non-immigrant visas, while the OECD distinguishes between international students and foreign students, with the former specifically crossing borders for education.

International students are defined by their citizenship status, permanent residence, and prior education

International students are individuals who pursue educational opportunities outside of their country of origin. The definition of an "international student" varies across countries and organisations. However, in general, international students are defined by their citizenship status, permanent residence, and prior education.

Citizenship status is a key factor in determining whether a student is considered an international student. In many countries, non-citizens are automatically classified as international students. For example, Dartmouth College in the United States considers all non-US citizens as international students, with the exception of permanent residents, eligible non-citizens, and undocumented students. Similarly, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United States' Institute of International Education (IIE) define international students based on citizenship status, particularly for data from European Union and OECD countries.

However, relying solely on citizenship status can be inadequate, as it does not capture the complexity of international student mobility. For instance, in countries where naturalisation is less common, such as many European countries, a significant number of permanent residents without citizenship would be classified as foreign students, even if they have lived in the country for most or all of their lives.

To address this limitation, the UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UIS) and the OECD have adopted additional criteria: permanent residence and prior education. According to these organisations, students are considered internationally mobile if they are not permanent residents of the host country or if they obtained their entry qualification for their current level of study in another country. This distinction between international and foreign students aims to provide a more accurate representation of student mobility and facilitate standardised data collection.

The prior education criterion is particularly important in distinguishing international students from foreign students. By considering where a student obtained their previous education, this criterion helps identify students who are truly mobile across borders, regardless of their citizenship or permanent residence status. This is especially relevant in the context of globalised education, where students may pursue secondary or tertiary education in multiple countries throughout their academic careers.

The number of international students is increasing, with 6.39 million recorded in 2021

The number of international students is on the rise, with 6.39 million recorded in 2021, up from 5.12 million in 2016. International students are individuals who pursue their secondary or tertiary education in a country other than their own. The mobility of students across borders has become a significant trend, with receiving countries recognising the economic benefits and increasingly tracking and reporting data on their education-export industries.

The definition of an "international student" can vary between countries, and national agencies collect data differently, making statistical comparisons challenging. However, since 2006, major compilers of student mobility data have attempted to standardise terms, distinguishing between "international" and "foreign" students. The UIS and OECD, in collaboration with Eurostat, define international students based on permanent residence, prior education, and citizenship.

The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia are among the most popular destinations for international students, receiving 28.37% of international students combined. In the US, international students are typically those on non-immigrant temporary visas for academic study, while in Europe, the Erasmus Programme facilitates student exchange within the European Union. China has also emerged as a leading destination, particularly for Anglophone African students, with its international student market continuing to strengthen.

Several factors influence the mobility of international students, including visa and immigration policies, political developments, and the availability of scholarships. The affordability of international education is a growing concern, impacting both students and universities. Despite this, the number of internationally mobile students is projected to reach 6.9 million by 2030, reflecting a growing trend in global student mobility.

The top three destination countries for international students are the US, UK, and Australia

An international student is a student who undertakes all or part of their secondary or tertiary education in a country other than their own. The mobility of students and academics across borders has become a big business in recent years, with national authorities becoming increasingly efficient in tracking and reporting data surrounding their education-export industries.

The top three destination countries for international students are the US, the UK, and Australia. In 2021, there were over 6.39 million international students worldwide, with 833,204 in the US, 600,589 in the UK, and 378,439 in Australia. Together, these three countries received 28.37% of international students. In 2022, the number of international students worldwide remained stable at 6.4 million, with the institutions in these three countries welcoming 44% of the global international student population.

The US has consistently been the top host destination for international students. In 2022, around 950,000 students were enrolled in higher education in the US. The US is defined as a Major English-Speaking Destination Country (MESDC) and has seen a decline in international student enrollment in recent years.

The UK has also experienced a reported decline in international student enrollment, but in 2023, it was the fifth-leading destination for international students. The UK's recent growth is largely thanks to the International Education Strategy, a ten-year plan that has already surpassed the government's goal of 600,000 international students by 2030.

Australia has the highest ratio of international students per head of population worldwide. In 2020, there were 775,475 international students enrolled in the nation's universities and vocational institutions. Australia is also a MESDC and has seen substantial growth in its international student population over the past decade.

China is the leading destination for Anglophone African students

An international student is an individual who undertakes all or part of their secondary or tertiary education in a country other than their own. In 2021, there were over 6.39 million international students worldwide, with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia being the most popular destinations.

China is now the leading destination for Anglophone African students. In 2016, China was the third-largest receiver of international students globally, with 442,773 international students. By 2018 this number had grown to 492,185, representing a 10.49% growth from 2017. The number of international students in China has grown steadily since 2003, with no apparent impact from the rise of terrorism or the Great Recession. In contrast, the USA and UK have reported a decline in enrollments.

There are several reasons for China's popularity among Anglophone African students. Firstly, China has actively pursued a policy of growing its soft power globally by attracting international students through scholarships. The Chinese government has set scholarship targets to aid African students, pledging, for example, to provide 30,000 scholarships to African students by 2018. Secondly, China offers affordable education, even without scholarships, making it an attractive option for students seeking value for money. Thirdly, China's visa rules mean that African students are more likely to return home after their studies, preventing a brain drain. This also ensures that a generation of African students gains a quality education and returns home with new skills and perspectives.

Various factors have contributed to the increasing number of Anglophone African students choosing China as their study destination. These include the Chinese government's targeted focus on African human resource and education development, the opportunity to develop business connections, and the chance to learn the language of a country presumed to be a rising power.

The term 'foreign student' may be considered outdated and offensive

The term "foreign student" may be considered outdated and offensive by some people. While the definition of a foreign student is simply a student who studies in a country other than their own, the word "foreign" can carry negative connotations. It can suggest that someone is an outsider or doesn't belong, which may be perceived as offensive in certain contexts.

In recent years, there has been a push to standardize the terminology used for students studying outside their country of origin, with the two main compilers and aggregators of cross-border student mobility data drawing a distinction between "international students" and "foreign students." This effort aims to encourage national agencies to adopt consistent definitions in their data collection processes.

The preference for the term "international student" over "foreign student" may be influenced by the political and social climate. In times of rising anti-immigration sentiments, the word "foreign" could be used with a negative connotation to refer to newcomers. As universities tend to lean towards neo-liberal politics, it is not surprising that they would opt for the more modern and ""safer" term "international student."

It is worth noting that the terms "foreign student" and "international student" are not interchangeable. "Foreign student" emphasizes the student's domicile in another country, while "international student" suggests that their studies are part of an exchange or cooperation between two nations. However, the distinction between these terms is not always clear-cut, and different organizations may have varying definitions based on criteria such as citizenship, permanent residence, and prior education.

While some may argue that the term "foreign student" is outdated or offensive, others may find it acceptable. Ultimately, the context in which the term is used plays a significant role in determining its potential offensiveness.

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