International graduate nursing students’ experiences of studying in Thailand

Abstract

ABSTRACT            Studying at a university outside of their own country does not only represent a great opportunity to Asian students, but also a big challenge in terms of cultural adjustment, different teaching and learning styles as well as communication styles. Twelve Asian graduate students interviewed each other about their experiences as international students at one particular Thai university as part of a teaching exercise into research methods. The results revealed that these international students found Thailand to be a good place to study: different enough to challenge their thinking and existing knowledge, but also similar enough to avoid cultural alienation and resentment. The co-operation within a multinational student group as well as the acquisition of English language skills were seen as the most important aspects of learning. These were closely followed by the exposure to a different style of teaching and learning, which focused on the student rather than the teacher. By combining Asian and Western values, Thai universities were able to enhance their international students’ knowledge and confidence, without risking the alienation resulting from the culture clash that some Asian students experience at Western universities.