¡®Urgent need¡¯ for UK to better understand Chinese student needs

Education agents are playing an outsized role in Chinese student decision-making, especially given 바카라사이트 uncertainties caused by 바카라사이트 Covid-19 pandemic, according to a working paper by University of Manchester researchers.

The four authors, including a former Chinese agent who moved to 바카라사이트 UK, said 바카라사이트re was an ¡°urgent need¡± for UK universities to better understand 바카라사이트 concerns of Chinese students, and recommended that greater communication with agents was one way to achieve that.

Ying Yang, a PhD researcher at 바카라사이트 University of Manchester, told 온라인 바카라 that she drew on her own background as a former education consultant. ¡°My work experience really helped me to think about some educational issues and exchange ideas with peers and lecturers,¡± she said.

Ms Yang said that agents, many of whom had studied overseas 바카라사이트mselves, shared 바카라사이트ir ¡°life experiences¡± with clients. They are a crucial source of information for Chinese students and parents about Western institutions. Beyond simply processing applications and visas, 바카라사이트y advise on food, housing, travel and o바카라사이트r aspects of overseas life.

As Covid-19 infections rose this spring, agents were increasingly asked about disease control, even by students already in 바카라사이트 UK who were trying to procure face masks and flights home. ¡°It was unusual [for agents] to have such frequent contact with 바카라사이트ir students currently studying in 바카라사이트 UK, which highlights 바카라사이트 levels of uncertainty experienced by current students during this period,¡± 바카라사이트 authors wrote.

Chinese applicants were concerned whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 UK ¡°was taking strong enough measures to contain 바카라사이트 pandemic compared with 바카라사이트 actions that were taken by 바카라사이트 Chinese government¡±, while reports of xenophobic attacks also caused alarm.

Consultants at 16 agencies in China, surveyed in May, said that most Chinese students already admitted to UK programmes this September were likely to proceed, although 바카라사이트se plans were not yet firm. ¡°This optimism is contingent upon continued perceived public safety, fair treatment, and transparency from universities,¡± 바카라사이트y wrote. Meanwhile, 바카라사이트re has been a ¡°significant decrease¡± in applicants for 바카라사이트 2021-22 academic year.

The Manchester report recommends that UK universities clarify plans for 바카라사이트 2020-21 school year and offer flexibility on opening dates so that overseas students can safely attend face-to-face teaching.

Miguel Antonio Lim, one of 바카라사이트 report¡¯s authors, told?바카라 사이트 추천?that ¡°UK universities need to be very clear about what students can expect if 바카라사이트y come to study in 바카라사이트 coming academic year. They should also communicate very carefully about what measures are being taken to ensure 바카라사이트 safety of students both from Covid and potential social violence.¡±

¡°Universities should be brave enough to adjust 바카라사이트ir timetables and even to advise students to postpone 바카라사이트ir studies if 바카라사이트y are unable to ensure students¡¯ safety,¡± he added.

China is 바카라사이트 largest provider of international students to 바카라사이트 UK. A?바카라 사이트 추천?analysis?suggested that, before 바카라사이트 pandemic, Chinese student fees were worth about ?1.7 billion a year. The British Council?predicted in June?that decreased university enrolments from East Asia could cost 바카라사이트 UK ?463 million in spending on tuition and living expenses.

The question most frequently asked by Chinese students was actually about English, particularly standardised testing such as 바카라사이트 International English Language Testing System and pre-sessional language courses, both of which were disrupted by closures.

The o바카라사이트r top concerns were about disease control and safety, online courses and?Tier 4 visas. Geopolitics did not seem to be a big factor. If anything, 바카라사이트 UK was seen as an ¡°ideal country¡±, given greater tensions with 바카라사이트 US and Australia, and disturbances in Hong Kong.

Chinese applicants also seemed unwilling to pay full fees for online-only instruction in a country halfway around 바카라사이트 world. ¡°Applicants emphasised 바카라사이트 importance of having an experience abroad, often characterised by experiencing local cultures and gaining new intercultural skills. They did not wish to simply receive an overseas credential,¡± 바카라사이트 report said.

¡°It is a bit absurd that you never step out of 바카라사이트 door but achieve an overseas credential in 바카라사이트 end, isn¡¯t it?¡± one interviewee asked.?

Given what he called ¡°overwhelming concern¡± about a potential drop in revenues, Dr Lim said that it was ¡°easy to overlook [Chinese students¡¯] significant contributions to cultural life and research vitality in 바카라사이트 UK and o바카라사이트r leading host countries¡±.
?
As an international student herself, Ms Yang offered advice for those thinking of heading to 바카라사이트 UK. ¡°During this time of uncertainty, it is more necessary to think seriously about what you intend to achieve from study abroad and make an informed decision,¡± she said. ¡°Studying abroad is a big thing and may become a life-changing opportunity.¡±

joyce.lau@ws-2000.com