The Rise in Global Student Safety Concerns

This paper is an analysis of the perception of threats to the safety of international students while studying abroad, and is based on research from: an online survey designed by Education Intelligence and completed by students, with over 160,000 responses between 2007 and 2012; an online safety poll and chat room discussion at a UK-based online student community and information source; and student focus groups.

The aim of the study is to help enhance understanding of international student personal safety issues, whether safety fears are based on fact or hearsay, and how the many new ways in which information is being shared are influencing the ability of students to make informed decisions and form opinions.

Section 1 highlights the increasing concerns about international student safety. Although information about safety is available to students through many different channels, including institutions, student organisations, media and online, filtering this information while forming opinions and making decisions creates a situation where some students’ perceptions and opinions may be influenced by misinformation. An overview of the research used in the study is provided.

Section 2 outlines key trends from the online survey, an ongoing study aiming to understand the decision-making processes that international students go through before choosing to study overseas. Since 2007 safety has become an increasingly important factor around the world, impacting choices students make when planning to study abroad. Influences that may have sparked a rise in concern about student safety are also examined.

Section 3 presents an overview of the online poll results which provide insight on how digital communication has become the new word-of-mouth. The poll surveyed students on questions including which countries they thought were the safest and least safe places to live when studying abroad, and why. Research also included observations of student online discussions that followed after students were allowed to view their own answers and overall poll results.

Section 4 highlights the outcome of focus group discussions, parent interviews and education consultant/agent interviews which were carried out in Delhi and Mumbai in September 2012. Research was carried out in India because it is one of the largest sources of globally mobile young learners and an important market for recruiting institutions around the world. Key themes emerging from discussions and interviews are outlined and include the increasing concern of safety when considering overseas study, influences on views about safety, perceptions about safe and unsafe study destinations and insight into factors influencing these perceptions.

Section 5 explains how the increasing concern about personal safety is influencing students’ choices of study destination. Some countries are perceived to be safer than others although findings indicate such viewpoints are not necessarily based on fact but more on the methods students used to obtain the information, including an increasing preference for various types of online communication. A negative student safety record can have serious implications on the international higher education market, and recommendations are made on how international students and institutions alike can help ensure a safe learning and living environment.