ESN UK has today published ‘International Student Perspective UK’, a research report evaluating experiences and perceptions of studying the United Kingdom. 

 

The report provides an insight into the attitudes of international students both within the UK and studying elsewhere, analysing over 1000 responses from international students across Europe gathered in Spring 2023. Its intention is to provide a student voice to policy recommendations, examining areas where international students need more support from UK institutions, and what perceptions of studying in the UK look like after Erasmus+.

 

Find out more about the report here, or read the full report here.

 

For any enquiries regarding International Student Perspective UK, please contact liaisonoffice@esnuk.org.

 

 

 

In response to the newly-published report by Universities UK International (UUKi), Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), and Kaplan International, the reaction of ESN UK is as follows:

We are glad to see this report confirming the far-reaching economic benefits international students bring across all areas of the UK. We sincerely hope these figures will contribute towards a shift away from dangerous speculation on incoming student numbers, and towards the recognition of an international education’s intrinsic value to society.

There is much to be celebrated, but it is worth noting that despite the huge increase in net benefit brought by international students from 2018/19 (£31.3 bn) to 2021/22 (£41.9 bn),  the number of EU students entering the UK has dramatically fallen. This is especially relevant as the same report finds that per student, EU students bring greater benefit to the UK, mainly owing to the higher tendency for EU students to enter as first degree students.

International students are also more than figures - bringing a much wider range of social, cultural and educational benefits outside of these. UK universities are internationally renowned, and many brilliant students come to our institutions and contribute to the standards of our research and the learning in our classrooms. 

Moving forward, the focus should not be on aiming for continued unsustainable growth, but on how best we can improve our support for these incoming students. ESN UK believes reinvesting this substantial economic benefit into comprehensive support for international students on key issues like the graduate visa and accommodation, both of which currently lack, should be a key priority.

 

ESN UK opens the first edition of International Student Perspectives UK, a survey designed to record the experiences, barriers, and opinions of international students in relation to the UK.

 

From Friday 24th March to Wednesday 31st May, the survey is open to completion by international students currently in the UK (on any type of mobility), and all non-UK students. As such, it intends to provide a comparative study on issues that affect international students in the UK and elsewhere, aiming to determine the benefits and barriers to study in the UK. The survey intends to extend on prior research with the Erasmus Student Network, such as ESNsurvey and the SiEM project, to provide greater quantitative clarity on UK-specific key issues.

For students in the UK, areas of research include evaluating student support at universities (including support provided by ESN UK sections), barriers to mobility, and opinions on the UK after study. These aim to quantify UK-specific issues facing international students, such as visa bureaucracy and increased programme cost, as well as assessing the UK’s current position within the European Higher Education Area.

 

For those that have studied outside the UK, the survey focuses on their own barriers to mobility, in order to make direct comparisons between students in the UK and elsewhere. Questions also address attitudes towards the UK, with recent research by Universities UK International citing this as an important area of future research within the sector.

 

Through a report following the survey’s closing at the end of May, ESN UK’s aim is to improve the experiences of international students in the UK and abroad, and provide a student voice to these conversations by publishing these results and presenting them to key stakeholders.

 

Find out more about the survey here, or fill it out here. 

 
 

The Eduk8 programme, ESN’s internal development programme for non-formal education, comprises of 5 events per annum. This summer, from 27th June to 2nd July, the ESN Academy was held in the historic city of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. ESNers from around Europe gathered to discuss the ever relevant topics of Social Inclusion; specifically gender, migration and disability. ESN UK was fortunate enough to have 5 UK ESNers present, from every level of the ESN spectrum, flying the Union Jack ever so proudly.

The topics covered by the academy are the evermore pressing debates that surround us in daily life and ESN is making strides towards using its expertise, manpower and influence to make change. Many topics were covered by the wonderful Eduk8ers and Facilitators that aimed to educate and inform on these topics via non-formal methods. Particular workshops focused on a variety of themes within this broad topic. Workshops such as Survival in a Multicultural World, United in Diversity, Beyond the Binary and Mental Health and Well-being within ESN, allowed representatives to share experiences and seek solutions to issues that regularly arise in the ESN world.

However, with such serious topics and an open space for sharing and feelings comes close friendships and future partnerships that will hopefully last a lifetime. ‘Work hard, play hard’ comes to mind when thinking about the fun that our UK ESNers had whilst participating in the event and social package, exploring the wonderful city of Sarajevo and some delightful renditions of Oasis – Wonderwall by our representatives (yes, there is video proof!). 

In light of this eye-opening event, ESN UK is now planning to become very active within the Eduk8 programme and will certainly be sending ESNers to the Autumn Training 2017 event in Maribor, Slovenia.

Written by Luke Foulkes, Chair of Network Committee

On the 10th of November 2014, the Tower Bridge hosted a very important event: the London launch of the Schwarzman Scholars Programme. Andreas Mathikolonis, ESN UK President, and Madalina Cretu, ESN UK Publications Specialist, represented ESN UK on this important occasion.

 

WHAT? WHERE?

The Schwarzman Scholars Programme is a great opportunity for those interested in a study abroad experience in China. It consists of a fully funded one-year Master’s Degree in one of the three disciplines covered by the programme: Public Policy, Economics and Business or International Relations. The entire experience will take place at the Schwarzman College in Beijing, with Schwarzman Scholars being matriculated at Tsinghua University.

 Throughout the programme, students will be encouraged to take full advantaged of the multi-cultural and enriching educational environment they will be studying in, as well as of the Chinese culture happening around them. Schwarzman Scholars encourages students to travel extensively and experience China through all of its three dimensions: its traditional past, its buoyant present and its promising future.

Each of the 200 students included in the first cohort will be given a mentor, who will ensure that the career path chosen by them is stimulating their skills and challenging their goals. Internship opportunities will also be made available to the Schwarzman Scholars, encouraging them to gain practical experience which will require making use of the knowledge acquired in class in order to prove their potential as future leaders. 

 

WHO? WHEN?

The application process is opened to everyone between 18 and 28 years old who has obtained or will successfully obtain an undergraduate degree before July 2016. The application process will be open between April and October 2015 with finalists’ interviews taking place around mid-November 2015. The lucky 200 students selected to be part of the first cohort will be notified about their success before December 2015 and are expected to begin their Beijing one-year experience in summer 2016.

It is important to understand that the 200 students recruited for theprogramme will come from all over the word. With 45% USA students, 20% China students and the remaining 35% coming from the rest of the world, the study environment at the Schwarzman College is bound to be as internationally-aware and open-minded as possible. Students will not only benefit from the globally oriented classes they will attend, but also from the multiple interactions and friendships they will build with their international peers.

 More information about the candidates’ eligibility to apply for this scheme can be found here. 

 

WHY? 

“Those who will lead the future must understand China today.” – Stephen A. Schwarzman, founder of the Schwarzman Scholars programme  

The Schwarzman Scholarship programme aims to get students immerged into the Chinese economic and business context in the hope of helping them to acquire and develop the skills and knowledge for them to become the leaders that the future society needs. Students enrolled on the programme will meet business leaders, artists and public officials that will enlarge their network by extending it to an international level.

The launch event was a very good opportunity for ESN UK to discuss about its importance as a student-led organisation in the service of students. ESN UK believes this programme to be a very good opportunity for graduates from everywhere to expand their horizons and dare for more. The present world is evolving at a very rapid pace and being able to work and live in a global context is what will make the leaders of the future succeed. Best of luck to everyone who is thinking of applying and may the odds be ever in your favour! 

 

 

Written by Madalina Cretu – ESN UK Publications Specialist and Erasmus+ student at the University of Southampton

 

 

 

BRUSSELS, Belgium – 17th of November 2014

 

Press Release: 25 Years of Youth Empowering Youth - Mov'in Europe Conference and Ambassadors Programme*

 

ESN celebrates 25 years of Youth Empowering Youth through Mov’in Europe Conference "International Youth Mobility - Beyond the Erasmus+ programme" hosted by MEP Therese Comodini Cachia at the European Parliament on Monday, November 17th.

In the framework of the ESN Mov'in Europe project, a high-level conference was organised to discuss current issues regarding international youth learning mobility.

 

About the Conference

The morning session was held at the European Parliament, hosted by MEP Therese Comodini (Malta). The conference was attended by approximately 70 participants representing over 30 different countries. Youth Organisations, National Agencies and members of various European institutions were represented among the participants.

MEP Comodini addressed the participants, stressing the fact that "mobility is a key factor that empowers students, providing them with transversal skills and enhancing their employability”.

Several initiatives were introduced to and discussed with participants. The European Platform on Learning Mobility (EPLM) was presented by Davide Cappechi, programme coordinator of the EU-CoE Youth Partnership.

The EPLM is an open participatory space for exchange and cooperation between practitioners, researchers and policy makers. This platform fosters cooperation between all stakeholders involved in learning mobility in order to facilitate working towards a higher quality of mobility.

Mov'in Europe Coordinator Valentin Dupouey presented and officially launched the Mov'in Europe ambassadors, an ESN initiative aimed at providing direct information about mobility to young people in local communities through the help of ambassadors.

Finally, OBESSU was given the opportunity to present their Global Call to Action, launched on November 17th, International Students Day. OBESSU and their partners call for education systems that are free of costs and fees for students, while also remaining free of discrimination and free of fear.

All speakers unanimously agreed on the importance of learning mobility, not only as a crucial part of the formal education curriculum, but also as a strong lever for personal development and active citizenship.

 

Questions and Answers

Morning sessions provided food for thought for the afternoon workshop session that was held within the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Participants gathered in the University in order to collectively attempt to find a solution to some current challenges faced by international youth learning mobility.

How can we ensure better and wider accessibility to mobility? How can we turn international mobility into active citizenship? How can we ensure optimal recognition of mobility? These are some of the questions that participants were asked, all experts in the field of youth and student mobility.

The outcomes of these fruitful sessions will be used and promoted by ESN in its effort to constantly work towards a higher quality of mobility.

 

More Information 

The Mov’in Europe project can be followed on social media networks (facebook.com/MovinEurope) or on the website www.movineurope.esn.org .

Video report of the conference: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdrlazWwl3A

Mov’in Europe Ambassadors Programme: www.movineurope.esn.org/who-are-ambassadors

 

For more information, please contact: Emanuela Del Savio secretariat@esn.org (tel.: +32 2 256 742) or Valentin Dupouey, project coordinator at movineurope-coordinator@esn.org

 

Erasmus Student Network (ESN), a non-profit international student organisation with the mission to represent international students, thus provide opportunities for cultural understanding and self-development under the principle of Students Helping Students. ESN has 13.500 members from 460 local associations in 37 countries working on a volunteer basis in Higher Education Institutions. ESN offers its services to more than 180.000 students annually.

 

*The article was originally published on the ESN International's webpage and can be found at: http://www.esn.org/article/25-years-youth-empowering-youth.