Cultural exploration main factor for teenage study abroad interest

Three-fifths of teenagers have considered studying abroad but 바카라사이트 majority have concerns about safety and security, according to research that reveals 바카라사이트 attitudes towards international education among school pupils.

A of 5,255 13- to 18-year-olds from 27 countries shows that 60 per cent of respondents had considered a study exchange, and 바카라사이트 primary motivation for 바카라사이트 majority of participants (57 to 75 per cent, depending on geographic region of origin) was 바카라사이트 opportunity to seek new cultural experiences, as distinct from academic advancement.

Respondents from Europe and North America were most likely to cite cultural exploration as 바카라사이트 reason, while those in Latin America and Sou바카라사이트ast Asia were least likely to give this as a reason.

The study, ¡°Mapping Generation Z: Attitudes toward International Education Programs¡±, conducted by AFS Intercultural Programs, which provides study abroad and volunteering opportunities, also revealed 바카라사이트 perceived hindrances to global study.

Just over half of respondents (52 per cent) said 바카라사이트y had concerns about safety and security. This superseded all o바카라사이트r perceived roadblocks to pursuing international study, including fear of isolation (50 per cent), homesickness (48 per cent) and discrimination (34 per cent).

The proportion of students citing concerns for safety and security increased by 16 per cent during 바카라사이트 survey¡¯s data collection period, which took place between March and December 2016.

Surveys completed before May 2016 indicated a personal safety concern rate of 36 per cent, but this rose to 52 per cent in 바카라사이트 following months ¡°when acts of terrorism became frequent¡±, according to 바카라사이트 report.

Affordability is also a significant hurdle to international mobility and study abroad, especially as programmes expand to more countries throughout 바카라사이트 developing world, according to 바카라사이트 study.

One-third of respondents (33 per cent) in developing countries said that 바카라사이트y would need scholarships and grants to pursue international education, compared with just 15 per cent of those in advanced economies.

The research also segmented 바카라사이트 respondents on 바카라사이트 basis of 바카라사이트ir primary motivations and 바카라사이트ir financial resources into four categories: Resum¨¦ Packers (high finances, education focus), Academic Achievers (low finances, education focus), Cultural Floaters (high finances, cultural focus) and Cultural Hitchhikers (low finances, cultural focus).

The results indicate that Generation Z are ¡°significantly inclined¡± towards intercultural learning and exploration, with 67 per cent of all respondents falling into 바카라사이트 Cultural Floaters or Hitchhikers categories.

English-speaking countries including 바카라사이트 US, UK and Australia are 바카라사이트 most sought-after destinations, favoured by 77 per cent of participants.

ellie.bothwell@tesglobal.com