Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

“I wonder should I go or should I stay…”

Retention of Higher Education Students in an Australian University

  • Chapter
Book cover Global Learning in the 21st Century

Part of the book series: Global Education in the 21st Century Series ((GECS))

  • 3043 Accesses

Abstract

The overall objective of this chapter is to explore the relationship between internationalised curriculum, international students’ satisfaction with the internationalised curriculum being provided by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Melbourne, Australia, and international students’ retention. We define student retention as the continuous enrolment in courses until graduation. Mixed-methods research was employed in the analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data in this study. The quantitative component consisted of data from Higher Education Onshore – Student Experience Survey run by the Survey Services Centre of RMIT University in 2012, and the qualitative component included analysis of interview data. The influence of internationalised curriculum on student retention, which is the main goal of this study, has not been addressed in previous studies. Thus, in this chapter, we explore the relationship between internationalised curriculum and student retention.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Adams, M. (1992). Cultural inclusion in the American college classroom. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 1992(49), 5–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aitken, N. D. (1982). College student performance, satisfaction and retention: Specification and estimation of a structural model. The Journal of Higher Education, 53(1), 32–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrade, M. S. (2006). International student persistence: Integration or cultural integrity? Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory and Practice, 8(1), 57–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armani, C. M. (2008). An analysis of the key components of a formal mentoring program for international students at Robert Morris University. Pittsburgh, PA: Robert Morris University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arthur, N. (2004). Counseling international students: Clients from around the world. New York, NY: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Australian Education International. (2007). 2006 international student survey: Higher education summary report. Retrieved from https://internationaleducation.gov.au/research/Publications/Documents/ISS_2006_HED.pdf

  • Back, K. J. C., Davis, D. V., & Olsen, A. (1997). Internationalisation and higher education: Goals and strategies. Canberra: Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Higher Education Division.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bean, J. P., & Metzner, B. S. (1985). A conceptual model of nontraditional undergraduate student attrition. Review of educational Research, 55(4), 485–540.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beazley, K. C. (1992). International education in Australia through the 1990s. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beil, C., Reisen, C. A., Zea, M. C., & Caplan, R. C. (1999). A longitudinal study of the effects of academic and social integration and commitment on retention. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 37(1), 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bejou, D. (2005). Treating students like customers. BizEd, 4(3), 44–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, J. B., & Malaney, G. D. (2003). Assessing the transition of transfer students from community colleges to a university. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 40(4), 533–555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bers, T. H., & Smith, K. E. (1991). Persistence of community college students: The influence of student intent and academic and social integration. Research in Higher Education, 32(5), 539–556.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borden, V. M. (1995). Segmenting student markets with a student satisfaction and priorities survey. Research in Higher Education, 36(1), 73–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, R. B. (1991). Study and stress among first year overseas students in an Australian university. Higher Education Research and Development, 10(1), 61–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cabrera, A. F., Castaneda, M. B., Nora, A., & Hengstler, D. (1992). The convergence between two theories of college persistence. The Journal of Higher Education, 63(2), 143–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cambiano, R., Denny, G., & DeVore, J. (2000). College student retention at a midwestern university: A six-year study. Journal of College Admission, 166, 22–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S.-F. (1996). Learning multiculturalism from the experience of international students: The experience of international students in a teacher training program. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New York, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christie, H., Munro, M., & Fisher, T. (2004). Leaving university early: Exploring the differences between continuing and non-continuing students. Studies in Higher Education, 29(5), 617–636.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Claggett, C. A. (1996). Correlates of success in the community college: Using research to inform campus retention efforts. Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, 4(1), 49–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collet, P. (2010). Dans les mursmaisaussi “hors les murs”: Australijski punkt widzenia. Opuscula Musealia, 18, 35–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colvin, C., & Jaffar, F. (2007). Enhancing the international student experience: The importance of international student groups and peer support at Edith Cowan University. Paper presented at the 10th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference, Brisbane, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crabtree, R. D., & Sapp, D. A. (2004). Your culture, my classroom, whose pedagogy? Negotiating effective teaching and learning in Brazil. Journal of Studies in International Education, 8(1), 105–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (2nd ed., Vol. 2). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2007). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curro, G., & McTaggart, R. (2003). Supporting the pedagogy of internationalisation. Paper presented at the 17th IDP Australian International Education Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dalili, F. (1982). Roles and responsibilities of international student advisors and counselors in the United States. Akron, OH: University of Akron.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derby, D. C., & Smith, T. (2004). An orientation course and community college retention. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 28(9), 763–773.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duan, J. P. (1997). The influence of various factors on international students in selecting universities: A south Australian study of Chinese students from Hong Kong and Malaysia (Doctoral dissertation). University of South Australia, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durkin, K. (2008). The adaptation of East Asian masters students to western norms of critical thinking and argumentation in the UK. Intercultural Education, 19(1), 15–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • East, J. I. (2001). Students as customers: International student perceptions of educational services at La Trobe University (Doctoral dissertation). University of New England, NSW, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • English, S. (1998). Internationalization through the lens of evaluation. In J. A. Mestenhauser & B. J. Ellingboe (Eds.), Reforming the higher education curriculum: Internationalizing the campus (pp. 179–197). Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, M. J. (1993). Factors associated with one-year retention in a community college. Research in Higher Education, 34(4), 503–512.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gatfield, T., Barker, M., & Graham, P. (1999). Measuring student quality variables and the implications for management practices in higher education institutions: An Australian and international student perspective. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 21(2), 239–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greene, J. C., & Caracelli, V. J. (1997). Advances in mixed-method evaluation: The challenges and benefits of integrating diverse paradigms. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grey, M. (2002). Drawing with difference: Challenges faced by international students in an undergraduate business degree. Teaching in Higher Education, 7(2), 153–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, S., & Jamal, Z. (2007). Nurturing cultural diversity in higher education: A critical review of selected models. Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 37(3), 27–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hair, J. F. (2006). Multivariate data analysis (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, S. (1998). Setting the foundations for the internationalisation of Australian higher education. Paper presented at the Education ‘98: The Industry Practitioners Forum, Sydney, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, W. E., Creswell, J. W., Clark, V. L. P., Petska, K. S., & Creswell, J. D. (2005). Mixed methods research designs in counseling psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(2), 224–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, N. (2006). The impact of negative experiences, dissatisfaction and attachment on first year undergraduate withdrawal. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 30(4), 377–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayle, E. M. (2008). Educational benefits of internationalizing higher education: The students’ perspectives (Master’s Thesis). Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heyneman, S. P. (2002). Defining the influence of education on social cohesion. International Journal of Educational Policy, Research and Practice, 3(4), 73–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyt, J. E. (1999). Remedial education and student attrition. Community College Review, 27(2), 51–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamelske, E. (2009). Measuring the impact of a university first-year experience program on student GPA and retention. Higher Education, 57(3), 373–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, R. (2016). Wrestling with partnerships in the Asian Century. Paper submitted to Intercultural Education, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group (pending publication).

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, R., & Kumar, M. (2010). The monsoon wedding phenomenon: Understanding Indian students studying in Australian universities. Higher Education Research & Development, 29(3), 215–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joseph, C. (2008). Difference, subjectivities and power:(De) colonizing practices in internationalizing the curriculum. Intercultural Education, 19(1), 29–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalsner, L. (1991). Issues in college student retention. Higher Education Extension Service Review, 3(1), 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanji, G. K., Malek, A., & Tambi, B. A. (1999). Total quality management in UK higher education institutions. Total Quality Management, 10(1), 129–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knight, J. (2004). Internationalization remodeled: Definition, approaches, and rationales. Journal of Studies in International Education, 8(1), 5–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knight, J., & De Wit, H. (1995). Strategies for internationalisation of higher education: Historical and conceptual perspectives. In H. De Wit (Ed.), Strategies for internationalisation of higher education: A comparative study of Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States of America (pp. 5–32). Amsterdam: EAIE Secretariat.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawley, M. A. (1993). Factors influencing the choice of destination in international education: The case of Hong Kong (Doctoral dissertation). University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leask, B. (2001). Bridging the gap: Internationalizing university curricula. Journal of Studies in International Education, 5(2), 100–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levitz, R. S., Noel, L., & Richter, B. J. (1999). Strategic moves for retention success. New Directions for Higher Education, 1999(108), 31–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lounsbury, J. W., & Deneui, D. (1996). Collegiate psychological sense of community in relation to size of college/university and extroversion. Journal of Community Psychology, 24(4), 381–394. doi:10.1002/ (SICI)1520-6629(199610)24:4<381::AID-JCOP7>3.0.CO2-X

    Google Scholar 

  • Mavondo, F., Zaman, M., & Abubakar, B. (2000). Student satisfaction with tertiary institution and recommending it to prospective students. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the Conference de ANZMAC, Gold Coast, Queensland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mestenhauser, J. A., & Ellingboe, B. J. (1998). Reforming the higher education curriculum: Internationalizing the campus. American council on education/Oryx press series on higher education. Phoenix, AZ: ERIC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naghdi, M. B. (2015). International student retention in the Australian higher education setting: The role of internationalisation of the curriculum (Doctoral Thesis). RMIT University, Melbourne.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nesdale, D., & Todd, P. (1993). Internationalising Australian universities: The intercultural contact issue. Journal of Tertiary Educational Administration, 15(2), 189–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oberg, K. (2006). Cultural shock: Adjustment to new cultural environments. Curare, 29(2), 142–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, A., & Spain, J. (2008). Outgoing international mobility of Australian university students, 2007. Paper presented at the Australian Universities International Directors Forum, Canberra.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pennington, R. (2006). Rethinking grade transfer shock: Examining its importance in the community college transfer process. The Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, 14(1), 19–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perkovic, D. (2010). Does Australia need universities? Retrieved from https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/7010/1/WenworthMedal2010.pdf

  • Poyrazli, S., & Grahame, K. M. (2007). Barriers to adjustment: Needs of international students within a semi-urban campus community. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 34(1), 28–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quintrell, N., & Westwood, M. (1994). The influence of a peer-pairing program on international students’ first year experience and use of student services. Higher Education Research and Development, 13(1), 49–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raby, R. L., & Valeau, E. J. (2007). Community college international education: Looking back to forecast the future. New Directions for Community Colleges, 2007(138), 5–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rizvi, F. (2000). International education and the production of global imagination. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, M., Line, M., Jones, S., & Thomas, S. (2000). International students, learning environments and perceptions: A case study using the Delphi technique. Higher Education Research and Development, 19(1), 89–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samuel, E., & Burney, S. (2003). Racism, eh? Interactions of South Asian students with mainstream faculty in a predominantly white Canadian university. Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 33(2), 81–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos Laanan, F. (2007). Studying transfer students: Part II: Dimensions of transfer students’ adjustment. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 31(1), 37–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schapper, J. M., & Mayson, S. E. (2004). Internationalisation of curricula: An alternative to the Taylorisation of academic work. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 26(2), 189–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuerholz-Lehr, S., & Van Gyn, G. (2006). Internationalizing pedagogy or applying pedagogy to internationalism-the journey of a professional development workshop. Paper presented at the Internationalizing Canada’s Universities: Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities Symposium, Toronto, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuerholz-Lehr, S., Caws, C., Van Gyn, G., & Preece, A. (2007). Internationalizing the higher education curriculum: An emerging model for transforming faculty perspectives. Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 37(1), 67–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, G., Shah, M., Grebennikov, L., & Singh, H. (2008). Improving student retention: A University of Western Sydney case study. Journal of Institutional Research, 14(1), 9–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, R. A. (1994). Campus developments in response to the challenges of internationalization: The case of Ramapo College of New Jersey (USA). Higher Education Management, 6(1), 71–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sidhu, R. K. (2005). Universities and globalization: To market, to market. Mahwah, NJ: L. Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strategic Plan, RMIT University. (2015). Strategic plan: Transforming the future: 2015. Melbourne, Australia: RMIT University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teddlie, C., & Tashakkori, A. (2003). Handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioral research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, J. (1993). The effects of on-campus residence on first-time college students. NASPA Journal, 31(1), 41–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tinto, V. (1975). Dropout from higher education: A theoretical synthesis of recent research. Review of Educational Research, 45(1), 89–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tinto, V. (1987). Leaving college: Rethinking the causes and cures of student attrition. Chicago, IL: ERIC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tinto, V. (1993). Leaving college: Rethinking the causes and cures of student attrition. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, B. K., & Wilson, K. (2006). “A hand hold for a little bit”: Factors facilitating the success of community college transfer students to a large research university. Journal of College Student Development, 47(4), 439–456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trotter, E., & Cove, G. (2005). Student retention: An exploration of the issues prevalent on a healthcare degree programme with mainly mature students. Learning in Health and Social Care, 4(1), 29–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Wende, M. (2001). The international dimension in national higher education policies: What has changed in Europe in the last five years. European Journal of Education, 36(4), 431–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Volet, S., & Ang, G. (1996). A cross cultural study of university students’ perceptions of group work. Singapore: Singapore Polytechnic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volet, S., & Pears, H. (1994). International students in Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges in Western Australia: Students’ reflections on their experience and perceptions of the future of associations between their country and Australia. Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volet, S., & Pears, H. (1995). ELICOS students: Reflections on studying English at TAFE Western Australia. Murdoch University, Murdoch, W.A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voorhees, R. A. (1993). Toward building models of community college persistence: A logit analysis. Research in Higher Education, 26(2), 115–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ward, C. A. (2001). The impact of international students on domestic students and host institutions: A literature review. Wellington, New Zealand: Export Education Policy Project, Ministry of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Windham, P. (1994). The relative importance of selected factors to attrition at public community colleges. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.lib.rmit.edu.au/docview/62738323?accountid=13552

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, C., & O’Neill, M. (2002). Service quality evaluation in the higher education sector: An empirical investigation of students’ perceptions. Higher Education Research and Development, 21(1), 23–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhai, L. (2002). Studying international students: Adjustment issues and social support. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.lib.rmit.edu.au/docview/62190085?accountid=13552

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, Y., Jindal-Snape, D., Topping, K., & Todman, J. (2008). Theoretical models of culture shock and adaptation in international students in higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 33(1), 63–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Mohammad Bagher Naghdi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Richard Johnson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

    Tasos Barkatsas

  2. School of Education, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

    Adam Bertram

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Sense Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Naghdi, M.B., Johnson, R. (2016). “I wonder should I go or should I stay…”. In: Barkatsas, T., Bertram, A. (eds) Global Learning in the 21st Century. Global Education in the 21st Century Series. SensePublishers, Rotterdam. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6300-761-0_15

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6300-761-0_15

  • Publisher Name: SensePublishers, Rotterdam

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-6300-761-0

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation