International students in New Zealand more satisfied – survey

New Zealand’s natural charms have fuelled an uptick in foreign students’ satisfaction scores, with most giving the country the thumbs up and over two in five rating it “excellent”.

The 2024 International Student Experience Survey has elicited higher proportions of positive responses than last year, with satisfaction ratings topping 90 per cent for some aspects.

The survey, which attracted input from over 6,400 students of more than 100 nationalities, revealed strong enthusiasm for the country’s physical and social attributes. Ninety-three per cent rated the country “clean and natural”, and 85 per cent considered it safe.

“People and connections”, “education experience”, “study arrangements” and “arrival and orientation” also garnered ratings of 85 per cent or higher.

But the archipelago scored relatively poorly on cost and career development, with just 65 per cent rating it positively for value and 58 per cent for work experience opportunities.

Students are particularly concerned about expenses and accommodation, the survey report says. “These…are where polarisation in scores is most evident. Focus on…these aspects can make the biggest difference.”

The report says rising costs could “price more people out”, particularly value-conscious students aware of alternatives “closer to home”.

Sahinde Pala, general manager of sector services with the report publisher Education New Zealand (ENZ), said rival destinations were experiencing similar problems. Nevertheless, it was important to understand students’ experiences because negative things tended to stick in their memories.

“Our aim is to ensure that all international students have a fabulous time studying in New Zealand,” she said. “What influence do we have over the cost of things? Probably not that much. But how do we then equip our students with the right knowledge as they’re…deciding where to study? It’s something that institutions are definitely aware of.”

This particularly applied to accommodation, she said. Work was under way to promote homestays among both students and host families.

ENZ’s acting chief executive, Linda Sissons, said the survey results were a “reassuring testament” to the sector’s post-Covid recovery and its “ability to deliver” what international students wanted.

ENZ, which is hosting a two-day international education conference in Wellington, has also announced its intention to effectively double the sector’s economic contribution to NZ$4.4 billion (£2 billion) by 2027. The aspiration reflects a government goal to double the country’s export earnings over a decade.

“International education has its part to play,” said Dr Sissons. She said the agency initially intended to put “additional investment” into countries with identified growth potential, including India, Vietnam and the Philippines, and into “specific sectors” in Japan and Thailand.

Ms Pala said awareness of New Zealand was strong in these countries.

john.ross@timeshighereducation.com