This document summarizes research on international students' perspectives on regional Australian universities. The research found that while regional location influenced university choice for many students, reputation and cost of living were more significant factors. Students generally had positive regional experiences, rating factors like safety, living arrangements and resources favorably. However, a lack of information about regional options and perceived benefits of cities may contribute to declining international enrollment at regional universities. The report concludes regional universities could boost foreign enrollment by improving outreach, infrastructure and emphasizing their unique strengths to international students.

1. Regional Australian Universities: An
International Student Perspective
A report drafted for the Australian Government
Department of Education and Training
Jessica Williams

2. 1. Introduction to the Research Proposal and Initiatives
2. Contextualizing International Education
 What is the Value of International Education in Australia?
 The Australian Model for International Education
 Regional Strategies Abroad: The United States
3. Research Methodology
 Aims and Goals
 Study Design
 Data Collection
4. Findings and Implications for Practice
 International Student Survey
 International Student Interview
 Suggestions
5. Conclusions
Presentation Structure

3. 1. Background and Context
 International education in Australia
 What is regional Australia?
 National Strategy for International Education
2. Key Questions
 What factors influence students to choose regional universities?
 What are the perceived benefits and barriers of a regional study
experience?
Research Proposal and Initiatives

4. 1. The value of international education in Australia
 Economic, political, and cultural advantages
 How does this have implications for regional Australia?
2. The Australian model for international education
 Meeting the needs of international students
 Rethinking the international education framework
 How does regional Australia perform?
3. Regional strategies abroad
 Case study: the United States
 The impact of NAFSA and CISA
Contextualizing International Education

5. 1. Study Design
 Case study: theory and application
 Quantitative research
 Qualitative research
2. Data Collection
 Limitations
Research Methodology

6. 1. International student survey
 Demographics and figures
 Factors that influence university choice
 The international student experience
Findings

7. Student Demographics
19.70%
14.50% 14.50%
51.30%
Less than 3 months Between 3 and 6
months
Between 6 months
and 1 year
Longer than 1 year
Length of Time in Australia
Age Range
18 to 24
25 to 34
35 to 44
45 to 54
55 or older
Degree Type
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Certificate
Masters Degree
(coursework)
Masters Degree
(research)
Doctoral Degree
(PhD)
Short-
term/Exchange

8.  Does regional location effect student choice?
 Roughly 69% of international students said that regional location had at least some
influence on their choice of university
 Nearly 40% of international students said that regional location influenced their
choice a lot
 86% of international students described their regional experience as good or excellent
 What factors influence students most?
 Program of study/university reputation
 Personal safety
 Cost of living
 Small town environment
 What factors influence students least?
 Community engagement
 Unique cultural experience
 Finding employment
Factors Influencing Student Choice

9. The International Student Experience
12.70%
7%
9.90%
35.20% 35.20%
Daily 4-5 Times 2-3 Times Once a Week Never
Weekly Use of Public Transportation
7.04%
39.44%
23.94%
19.72%
9.86%
Extremely
reasonable
Somewhat
reasonable
Neither
reasonable nor
unreasonable
Somewhat
unreasonable
Extremely
unreasonable
Cost of Living

10. Continued
9.70%
43.10%
33.30%
8.30% 5.60%
Extremely
Likely
Very Likely Somewhat
Likely
Not so Likely Not Likely at All
Attending Community Events
14.10%
54.90%
15.50% 12.70% 2.80%
Extremely
satisfied
Somewhat
satisfied
Neither
satisfied nor
dissatisfied
Somewhat
dissatisfied
Extremely
dissatisfied
Living Arrangements
32.40% 33.80%
26.80%
4.20% 2.80%
Extremely
useful
Somewhat
useful
Neither
useful nor
useless
Somewhat
useless
Extremely
useless
International Student Resources
37.50%
18.10%
12.50%
6.90% 2.80%
22.20%
A Great
Deal
A Lot A Moderate
Amount
A Little Never Does Not
Apply
Using English as a Second Language

11. 2. International student interview
 The effect of regional location
 Access to information
 How to students find out about regional universities?
 What information is available after arrival?
 Interaction with the community
 Finding employment
Findings

12. 3. What has caused a decline in the number of international
students at regional universities?
 Students generally have positive regional experiences, therefore it
might be an issue of marketing and branding
 The attractiveness of a big city or metropolitan experience
 Lack of information about regional locations or universities
 Physical infrastructure and support systems for international
students need improvement
Implications for Practice

13.  Capitalizing on regional assets
 Fixing the problem areas – i.e. infrastructure
 Selling the regional experience
 Improving outreach to international students
 There is a large, diverse market of international students
Conclusions