Students’ perceptions of value of transnational higher education for career, educational, and personal advancement in the Peruvian and Indonesian contexts

Abstract

Abstract The present study investigates how students perceive international dual-degrees provide value for career, educational, and personal advancement. It also compares how student perceptions of value differ based on their country context and plans to be mobile or immobile during their programs of study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with a total of 23 students, 15 from Peru and 8 from Indonesia, who were enrolled in dual-degree programs offered by one US university and Peruvian and Indonesian partner universities. The findings show that students at both locations perceived that earning dual-degrees provided value for career, educational, and personal advancement though for varying reasons. Country comparisons showed that perceptions of value generally converged, while comparisons by mobility plans showed greater value associated with being mobile for career and personal advancement than being non-mobile.