Integration of international students – the Hungarian experience

In order to remain competitive, HEIs are expected to improve their student services and adjust their practices to provide quality services for both domestic and international students. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the issues of the international student’s integration into the academic and student life.
On behalf of Tempus Public Foundation, a research was conducted to describe processes and problems regarding the internationalization of higher education in Hungary and to identify different integration methods and practices of HEIs with respect to programs offered mainly for domestic or international students, as well as joint programs for domestic and international students.
The research focused on undergraduate (BA, BSc) and master (MA, MSc) courses, and explored areas such as the integration of international students, identified the obstacles of student and staff mobility, and summarized the objectives and activities of the internationalization of Hungarian HEIs. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. Qualitative methods included document analysis (website analysis, study of relevant literature) and semi-structured interviews with students and staff members of Hungarian HEIs. Quantitative methods included on-line student and teaching staff surveys.
The results of this study are of great importance for the key decision makers of the Hungarian HEIs, as they may identify how students’ opinions and expectations can be put into practice, and use the findings of this study to develop better strategies to support the internationalization process of their institutions, thus improving Hungary’s chances at the international higher education market.
The presentation shows the data of this empirical study related to integration of domestic and international students and focuses on the institutional practices that had been identified in the research project, show theoretical and conceptual framework, research methodology, key findings, and policy recommendations.