Student exchanges show benefits of internationalisation
In his Then and Now column in PostMagazine ("PR pressure", December 1), Jason Wordie suggests that attempts to "internationalise" Hong Kong university campuses have had mixed results, and he expresses doubts about the entire process. But while Wordie asserts that Hong Kong students have derived little benefit from the internationalisation strategy, the experience of students who spend up to a year here on the British Council's student exchange programme "Scholarships for Excellence" tells a different story.
In his Then and Now column in ("PR pressure", December 1), Jason Wordie suggests that attempts to "internationalise" Hong Kong university campuses have had mixed results, and he expresses doubts about the entire process. But while Wordie asserts that Hong Kong students have derived little benefit from the internationalisation strategy, the experience of students who spend up to a year here on the British Council's student exchange programme "Scholarships for Excellence" tells a different story.
They recount an array of opportunities to interact with Hong Kong counterparts. Two Warwick students, for example, describe participating in a family-sharing programme that partners international students with local counterparts.
The idea is to enrich their understanding of Hong Kong. They talk enthusiastically of being student ambassadors representing Hong Kong universities at open days, and of helping classmates with their applications to a UK university.
In addition to participating in activities that they feel have benefited their host institutions, our UK scholars are proud to be contributing to the local community. One student from the University of Exeter described how he volunteers to collect surplus baked goods from local bakeries and delivers them to a local charity. Another is involved in a weekly programme that helps secondary students improve their English skills.
And Wordie may also be interested in the views of employers. Recent research indicates that internationalising campuses is now a business imperative, with 80 per cent of employers favouring candidates with international experience (QS Global Employer Survey Report 2011). Employers actively seek out graduates who have studied abroad, which is another reason universities around the world are committed to internationalisation.
It would be remiss, however, to report only the good news. It's true that some UK scholars have found it easier to mix with other international students rather than with locals. However, once a genuine effort is made, the connections with Hong Kong students that ensue are deeply rewarding. In the words of one scholar from University College London: "I felt like I was learning what it was like to be a student from Hong Kong, rather than just a student in Hong Kong."
