As a part of the work integrated learning program at the University of Queensland (UQ), The Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games (DTESB) engaged the University of Queensland to undertake a research study investigating the motivations and experiences of international students in Queensland. This presentation highlights the results from 100 face-to-face surveys that were conducted.

1. STUDYING IN QUEENSLAND: UNCOVERING
THE MOTIVATIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Prepared for: The Department of Tourism, Events,
Small Business and Commonwealth Games

2. UQ Project Team
Lara Klestov Jingting Lai Rashad Pashazade
Mengqian Yu Rudy Shukaime Jingwen Yang

3. UQ Work Integrated Learning
✽ Tourism cluster provides work integrated learning
opportunities for students
✽ Assists to bridge the gap between theory and practice,
increase understanding and employability
✽ Group placement stream – experience working in teams
and dealing with industry issues
✽ This forms part of the TOUR7040 - Professional
Experience postgraduate course

4. Today’s Overview
1. Background of Research
2. Overall Results
3. Individual Nationality Results
4. Summary
5. Video Presentation

5. International Education
✓ A number of studies have indicated that
International students’ motivations in coming to
Australia are primarily to study.
✓ Australia is deemed to be a cheaper and safer
destination than the USA or UK.

6. Research Questions
☞ Why do international students choose to come
specifically to Queensland to study?
☞ What are international students looking for /
hoping to do / achieve while studying in
Queensland?
☞ Do they hope to stay in or return to Queensland
after their degree to live and work permanently?
☞ Do they want/expect a career in their chosen area
of study?

7. International Education in Australia
Over 464,000
International Student enrolments
as at year to date June 2015
10.4% increase on
June 2014

8. Higher Education
Student Commencements
Source: Australian Government - Monthly Summary of International
Student Enrolment Data, Australia, YTD June 2015

9. Research Scope
Targeted international students enrolled at the following institutions:
1. The University of Queensland (UQ), St Lucia Campus
2. Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Gardens Point
3. James Cook University, Brisbane Campus.
✗ Tertiary institutions defined as TAFE, English Learning
Centers & High School were not included as part of this
research.
✦ Face to Face interviews were carried out over a three week
period
✦ Total of 100 respondents across 3 universities

10. Queensland Universities
(Percentage of International Students)
16.6%
QUT
20.5%
JCU
24.0%
UQ

11. Overall Results (Demographics)

12. Overall Results (Demographics)

13. Age
Gender
✢ Majority were aged between 22-25
✢ Followed by people aged between 18-21
Male 54!
Female 46!

14. Major

15. Funder
Who is funding your studies? Are you…!

16. Motivation (All nationalities)
Reputation of universities in Queensland!
Good Climate!
Sunshine Weather!
Safe Living Environment!
Lower Living Cost!

17. Most popular destinations: Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Cairns
Places most interested in (Queensland): Gold Coast, Great Barrier Reef and Cairns
(Australia): Sydney and Melbourne

18. After graduation…
More than half of respondents
wanted to stay in Queensland !
87.7% intended to work
54.8% to work PERMANENTLY! 45.2% to work TEMPORARILY!
Climate
Beautiful and Friendly Environment
Job Opportunity
Diverse Culture
Why?

19. Expectation to work within the chosen
area of study…
90%Yes!
International students consider Australian education
as practical for their future career life…!

20. Personal Experience
Why I chose to study in Queensland?

21. Album: My Favourites in OZ!

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36. Individual Nationality Results
Climate
Chines
e!
Other
Asian!
Middle Eastern!
Cost of Living
Europea
n!
South
America!
Status of University
Motivation!
Chines
e!
Indian!

37. They Are Looking for…!
Chines
e!
Gold Coast
Great Barrier Reef
Fraser Island
Other Asian!
Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast

38. They Are Looking for…!
European! Middle Eastern! Cairns
South America!
Gold Coast
Indian!
Gold Coast
Cairns

39. Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast
Cairns
Most Attractive Destinations in Queensland!
• Middle Eastern students are less interested in traveling.
• European and Chinese students travel more frequently
and visit more places.

40. After graduation…!
Half Chinese wanted to stay: good weather, nice people and
different culture.
57% of Other Asian intended to stay: better environment,
safety, more job opportunities and high salary.
89.5% of Indian would like to stay: good climate, job
opportunities and friendly people.
13.3% of European wanted to stay: great prospect, climate
and culture.

41. QLD is more attractive for students coming !
from developing countries.!
Chines
e!
Other Asian! Indian!

42. Expectation to work within the chosen
area of study…!
Chinese 70%
Other Asian 92.9%
Middle Eastern 100%
European 100%
South America 100%
Indian 94.7%

43. Summary of Findings
1. Different nationalities have different motivations for selecting
Queensland as a destination to study;
2. The top two motivators for international students selecting
Queensland are (1) reputation of university and (2) climate;
3. European and Chinese students‘ traveling intention whilst in
Australia is stronger than students from other regions;
4. Queensland is seen as more attractive option to reside for students
who come from developing countries with lower living standard
than those from developed countries; and
5. Top three most visited tourist destinations in Queensland by
international students are Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Cairns.

45. Questions Time

46. Thank You !