Elaine's exhibition: Research Report

International student problems compare with female and male

Name: Chan, Yi-Ling (Elaine)
Student ID No. 08011471
Tutor: Steve Wasserman

Introduction

Recently, more and more international students study in United Kingdom. Especially, the University of London Metropolitan has a large international student population, with 7,000 students from over 155 countries (London Metropolitan, Fact and figures, July 2008). During the last decade, the number of the foreign students study in London Metropolitan University has increased from about 4,000 to 7,000 students, and it is also one of the top five London institutions for international students (Cheveving , British Council, June 2006).

International students live and study oversea for first time often faces a lot of problems. As the result of the research of the international student problems compare to female and male, international students could predict the problems they would suffer and prepare deliberately before coming to UK. It is useful for foreign students to help them adjust their life and focus on studying quickly.

Aim

The primary aim of our research is to look into the problems international female students have compared to international male students who attend the English classes in summer 2008. The secondary purpose is to discover the results of how the respondents are satisfied with their life in UK, and the quality of study and staffs.

Method

The Sample

27 respondents were sampled in the research, included 16 females and 11 males of London Metropolitan University international student with different courses, age, and nationalities.

Data Collection

The data were collected by questionnaires that were contained with various student problem questions which we researched online and have experienced by us. Also there were some questions about if the respondents were satisfied with living in UK, and the quality of study and staffs.

Findings

Findings regarding problems compare with the male and female students have

The Table1 provides information about the problems of London Metropolitan University international students have suffered in UK. Generally, female have more problems than male and are less satisfied with their life and study than male.

Unsurprisingly, male have less than 20% of all categorization of most and quite problem while almost one in three (31%) female students have the biggest problem with finance (funding) and 44% have problem with accommodation. In terms to the aspect of medium problem, 45% of male students indicate that they have problem with open a bank account, compare to female students have similar percentage (44%), just a little less than male in language problem. All of the male students have no problem with child care, whereas over one in ten female students have child care problem.

Findings regarding the satisfaction of respondents with living in UK, and the quality of studying and staffs

With regard to their level of satisfaction with living and studying, over half (55%) of the male students feel quite satisfied with living in London, and half of the female students have the same evaluation. Encouragingly, 64% and 55%of male respondents are quite satisfied about the quality of study and staffs in London Metropolitan University. However, less 20% than male of female students (44%) claim that they are quite satisfied with the quality of study and also satisfied in the quality of staffs.

Overall, the percentage of problems with the male students is less than the female students, and male' satisfied extends of living and their school life are higher than female.

Discussion

The purpose of the research was to investigate the different of the problems international students have surfed between male and female students then they study in London Metropolitan University, also the level of satisfaction with their life and studying. The finding clearly suggests that over half (31%of most problem, 25% of quite problem) of the female respondents have the biggest problem of finance (funding), and half (6% of most problem, 44% of quite problem) of them have accommodation problem. This may possibly mean the women students spend more money on shopping, such as clothes, accessories, and shoes, than the male students, and also could indicate that the female students attach importance to the security and privacy of their accommodation.

Contrary to expectations, the research does not suggest a significant important problem in the male respondents. However, almost one in three of the male respondents feel very dissatisfied by living in UK. Perhaps the reason of it is male students does not feel comfortable to express their emotion, like homesick, or seems to be the problems that they have are not mentioned on questionnaire and need further study to find out.

As for the satisfied of the quality of studying in female group, 31% of female students mentioned that they are not very satisfied with the quality of study. It may be the case that female students from other countries and not yet adjusted the education style in UK.

Conclusion

About the research of the problems of international student have are looked out before. However, there has been very little research reported on the comparability between male and female student and also the satisfaction with studying in London Metropolitan University. For this reason, the results of this research that were carried out are not only expected to help the students they study oversea, but also provide for school to improve their facilities and education system.

References