台灣地區國際學生調查研究---以推拉理論與社會資本論為例

Abstract

國際教育已變成全球主要的成長產業，自1995 年來國際學生的數量已成長近兩倍之多，2006 年更高達有270 萬的學生至國外就學。過去，國際間學生的流動通常與獎學金或訓練技能有關，然而現今則是受到更高學位的追求、證書等誘因，也因此影響了高等教育的目標與方向。近期有關社會資本的研究更將國際人才流動的現象，從原先個人資產的概念，擴展至整個社群、國家的表徵。本研究將依據國際教育中的推拉理論與社會資本論，針對目前在台灣地區各大學就讀之國際學生，進行來台求學動機及滿意度調查，詮釋國際學生如何選擇來台學習、在台之生活與文化調適、人際關係網絡建立，以及對於台灣學生與國際學生之間的互動情況。研究方法將採焦點訪談、網路問卷等方式，蒐集國際學生之相關訊息。本研究一方面可以了解當前我國各大學進行國際化中，國際學生來台之動機、學生背景與生活、學習與文化適應，建立相關之理論模式；另一方面也將為台灣高等教育招收國際學生之國際化成效，進行評估，並提供相關政策之參考。

Cross-border mobility of international students has occurred in higher education for centuries. Yet within recent years, phenomenal growth with respect to the number of participants involved has heightened a renewed interest in the international dimension of higher education as noted by curricular offerings, expanded support services, and open recruitment of international students. Further, the popularity of the concept of international students as a source of social capital in Taiwan has yet to be fully studied and explored. In East Asian countries such as Taiwan, a recent influx of international students suggests that motives for internationalization growth and the landscape of programs for incoming international students are at a crossroads. This research project attempts to detail a mixed-method study to examine push-pull factors influencing international students’ choices to study in Taiwan and their perceived contributions to the enrichment of social capital. To begin, the theoretical framework of the study is defined. Next, a description of the research setting is provided which leads into an outline of the methodological framework of the study, followed by the analyses of findings. The discussion of results situates implications within both the dominant paradigms of cross-border mobility of students and an East Asian exemplar. In essence, the National Survey of International Students seeks to provide valuable information on the international students’ educational experiences, levels of satisfaction, academic progress and overall demographic and personal characteristics. It is designed to act as a barometer of the Taiwan’s international student market, providing valuable feedback on students’ satisfaction, experiences, thoughts and perspectives. It is hoped that the study will not only shed light on the literature but also provide solid recommendations for policy making.