The Impact of Study Abroad on Kazakhstani Students’ Academic Expectations
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Date
2019-06
Authors
Rakisheva, Aigul
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education
Abstract
This study aims to identify the impacts of studying abroad on Kazakhstani
students’ academic expectations, for those who studied under the short-term Erasmus
+ academic mobility program as well as the experience of academic life at their
home institutions after their return. Furthermore, the study employs a qualitative
approach using the case study of a leading state university in cosmopolitan
Kazakhstan as well as semi-structured interviews with ten university students. The
findings reveal that students who participated in the program consider the Erasmus
experience as a key element for academic performance and further professional
growth. Additionally, the interviewees felt that their participation in the program
helped them become more open, sociable, independent, and ready for new changes in
life. Moreover, they expressed the belief that they had improved their critical
thinking skills and had become more creative and active. Thus, according to study
participants, educational institutions should actively provide the necessary
information about the program to students as well as support returning students to create the appropriate conditions for the students’ academic activities. However,
participants recognized concerns over language barriers, teaching, and bureaucratic
problems at home institutions as well as a shock in adaptation after return.
Consequently, it is necessary to conduct an in-depth study of the process of the
participants’ re-entry in further research.
Description
Keywords
short-term student mobility, internationalization, academic expectations, study abroad, Erasmus +
Citation
Rakisheva, A. (2019). Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education, Nur-Sultan