International Student Experiences in Non-Native-English-Speaking Countries: Postgraduate Motivations and Realities from Finland

Abstract

Globally, international student recruitment has become one of the prominent topics of higher education. In addition to the leading native-speaking English world, several non-native-English-speaking countries have reshaped their higher education system to attract more international students. Finland is one of the non-native-English-speaking countries having instituted a change in international student recruitment policy. This study seeks to improve the understanding of the experiences of international students in non-native-English-speaking countries by focusing on postgraduate-level students at a selected university in Finland. Following a phenomenological viewpoint, 11 students were interviewed on their motivations and expectations for studying abroad, and what challenges they have encountered. The findings indicate that education quality and free higher education are important motivations for choosing to study abroad in Finland. Moreover, international students encounter academic, social, financial and psychological challenges and have concerns about their future career in a non-native-English-speaking country.