Veera Pandiyan Kaliani Sundram Department of Technology and Supply Chain Studies, Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor Branch, Campus Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: This study aims to examine the various factors that are shaping the learning experiences of international students in and beyond diversified educational settings. On the first hand, the research aims to provide a thorough integration of the factors that collectively influence the learning skills and the productivity levels of these students. The factors encompass the home learning environment, teacher-student relationship, teacher’s qualification, student’s beliefs, and the assessment methods. This research will fill the research gap in existing studies, and will also provide an in-depth understanding of the intricacies that characterize the learning experience of foreign students.
Method: The method chosen for this research was qualitative, carried out among a group of international students from different educational institutes. A semi-structured interview technique was undertaken to collect primary data. A detailed discussion was carried out with 17 participants, exploring their perceptions and experiences about the influential factors identified. The interpretation of this qualitative data was carried out through thematic analysis, following a 3-step coding process to extract the key themes and patterns under the umbrella of the contributor’s narrative.
Findings: The empirical results shed light on multifaceted influences that impact the learning experiences the foreign students. The primary element was found to be, a home learning environment that notably molded the learner's academic pursuits. Moreover, other factors like positive teacher-student relationship, teacher’s qualification, impactful assessment strategies, and student’s belief regarding language improvement were also found to play a crucial role in students learning and productivity.
Implications: the findings of this study carry vital implications for the educational practices, related policies, and the steps to be followed to foster the educational experiences of international students. The originality of this research lies in its comprehensive investigation along with the incorporation of certain factors impacting the learning experience of foreign students. This sets a foundation for future research and educational advances in international education.
