Page 11 - ELG2408 August Issue 491

NEWS

to what others may perceive as diminished influence on their under Trump. In Mexico, a presidency has on their experience
personal safety risks. choice to study in the US or not. stratospheric but unsurprising in the US, the country’s push for
That still leaves 57% of Some education leaders may 80% expressed their disapproval, Biden to leave the presidential
respondents who acknowledge the find this student thinking naive. citing hesitance due to concerns race suggests a far more ‘hands-
influence of safety and acceptance US presidents have a significant over political hostility and visa on’ story within the US’s own
concerns; however, the nearly half amount of power to limit policy changes under the Trump domestic landscape.
of respondents who expressed no international student access to administration. These recent political
concern at all challenge prevailing the US institutions. That said, both the 2017 and developments leave room for new
narratives about how much race- 2024 survey results reveal a research into how the shift might
based and other violence in a Deep differences from significant portion of respondents impact the way international
study destination may influence eight years ago and region expressing that political leadership students, and other international
student decision-making. to region in the destination country has groups, view the US. It raises
We believe these findings The contrast in preferences no influence on their study abroad awareness about how responsive
highlight cultural differences between studying while the plans: around one-third of the US public truly is to its
around perceptions of safety and country is led by Mr Biden or respondents in both periods (32% leadership beyond simple partisan
discrimination as well as the resolve Mr Trump was most pronounced and 42%, respectively) expressed preferences.
of many students to pursue their between North America and indifference. Does that 10% What interests us is how this
academic goals despite potential Australasia. increase indicate a rise in student dynamism among US citizens
challenges related to discrimination, In response to a potential cynicism? Or is it naivete? affects the way prospective
safety, and political instability. Biden presidency, 9% of North international students view the
American respondents indicated What this means for importance of the US’s political
Battle at the ballot: shifting they would be less likely to study 2024/25 marketing and leader for themselves.
reactions to Trump and in the US, while 46% expressed recruiting efforts All told, our report remains
Biden they would be more likely. From surprising indifference an in-depth exploration into the
Our findings on the respondents’ Conversely, under a Trump among many respondents towards evolving views of international
reactions to Mr Trump are tamer presidency, 55% of North political leadership’s impact on students towards former President
in 2024 than they were in 2016. American respondents said they their study abroad decisions and Trump, comparing current
would be less likely to study in the access, to stark regional contrasts sentiments with those from our
US, with only 23% indicating they in preferences between Biden 2016 research on the US political
would be more likely. and Trump, our 2024 survey scene.
In Australasia, the preferences reveals a spectrum of intriguing As we explore whether current
were nearly reversed. Under international perspectives on the students have become more
Trump, only 11% indicated they future of education and global complacent or cynical about
would be less likely to study in mobility. potential policy changes under
the US, while a substantial 56% When it comes to international Trump that could significantly
stated they would be more likely. education marketing in impact their educational
The perception of Trump’s these interesting times, two opportunities, the recent dramatic
Among the 30% of respondents policies and rhetoric, often seen as recommendations are clear: shift in the political landscape
in our 2024 data who supported racially charged, has elicited varied • If the Democratic candidate of the US seems to even more
a Trump presidency, responses responses between predominantly wins: emphasise alumni deeply underscore the need to
highlight expectations of white and non-white countries. In success stories with OPT understand how US political
economic growth, job creation, Australasia, where the population and CPT to highlight career dynamics are really perceived by
and business-friendly policies. is approximately 75% white and advantages for prospective students—internationally and
These economic factors are seen conservative leadership is valued, students. domestically.
as potentially beneficial to one’s such as Tony Abbott and Scott • If Trump wins: institutions
career prospects and access to Morrison in Australia, there with robust international Ben Waxman is
the US job market. Respondents appears to be a greater appeal partnerships can leverage CEO of Intead.
seem to anticipate that the for Trump’s conservative ethos, them to deliver US degrees His three decades
Trump administration’s emphasis compared to Biden’s more reformist to students unable to travel of entrepreneurial
on economic nationalism and approach among international to, or work in, the US due to experience in
reduced regulatory burdens education-seekers. restrictions that may be put in corporate marketing and
will foster a favourable business Looking again at our place. Based on Trump’s first communications led to the
environment. worldwide pool, we compare term, the potential for stricter successful launch of five distinct
Aside from the specific these sentiments in our current student mobility limitations is
preferences for either Mr Trump survey to our 2016/17 findings a realistic concern. companies, as well as numerous
or Mr Biden, we found a high conducted before and shortly new services, programs, and
percentage of 2024 respondents after Mr. Trump’s inauguration. Stop Press! As of 21 July, initiatives.
indicating that the political President Biden has dropped out
leadership in the United States of the presidential race, endorsing Justine Hudock is
‘didn’t make a difference’—about his vice president, Kamala Harris, Content Strategy
42% across the board—on their to run for office. Lead at Intead.
desire to study in the US This provides somewhat of a Her training as
This finding indicates a counterexample to the research a humor writer
broader disconnect that these insights that we offer throughout and prestige strategist across a
international students may be the piece. swath of Fortune 100 companies
feeling; namely, the lived impact While we explore throughout paved the way for a rich record
of any government leader’s the summary report that of written work and creative
policies on international students In 2016/17, 54% of global international students considering direction in the international
studying in the US feels less respondents said they were less the US are growing increasingly education space.
significant, and thus, may have likely to consider US studies cynical about the effect that the
editorial@elgazette.com 11