Page 10 - ELG2408 August Issue 491

NEWS FEATURE .

Trump and the rise of student cynicism?

Will a Republican or Democrat victory affect the decision of students to
study in the US?

s of 21 July, President Our resulting 2024 ‘Know Your post-graduate programs (38% and instability had no influence at all
Biden has dropped out Neighborhood’ summary report 34%, respectively), particularly in on their decision to study abroad.
of the presidential race. presents and distils our findings as STEM fields.
AFind our reflections and part of Intead’s continuing series Learning English fluently
caveats to the report on that at the on global student mobility trends. (58%), bringing home new skills
end of the piece. Here, we uncover and examine (74%), and advancing their
The United States is in the the pivotal factors guiding career (84%) all rank among
throes of a contentious election international students’ decisions the most important drivers for
season, and US academic leaders to study abroad, exploring international students seeking to
are grappling with two major whether political leadership is a study abroad.
unknowns: significantly influential factor.
• How will the upcoming US
presidential election impact Who responded, and what This reaction was even more
student enrolment? they care about aggressive in South America and
• What changes in US policies Our respondents reflect the cohort Central America, where 70%
will influence international of most engaged international and 63% respectively stated that
student recruitment? education-seekers that we’ve concerns about personal safety in
observed in recent years. their destination countries had
Intead, in partnership with global Geographically, the largest no impact on their study abroad
study choice platform Studyportals, contingent hail from Africa and plans.
launched an international student- Asia (largely India). In navigating Amidst these significant Particularly for these regions,
focused survey to Studyportals study abroad options on social motivational factors, socio- we believe that this finding
account holders between 11 media, they predominantly rely politically, 43% of respondents suggests a familiarity with
March and 19 April 2024. The on Facebook and YouTube, and indicated that concerns about navigating complex socio-political
result: 2492 respondents from 106 their academic aspirations lean religious/racial discrimination, environments, potentially
countries. heavily towards graduate and personal safety, and political desensitizing these respondents
10 August 2024