Internationalization Process of a Hungarian University and International Students’ Experiences during Covid-19 Pandemic

Proceedings of The 5th International Academic Conference on Education

Year: 2022

DOI:

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Internationalization Process of a Hungarian University and International Students’ Experiences during Covid-19 Pandemic

Kitti Vitéz, Aranka Varga

ABSTRACT: 

The number and proportion of international students has been growing steadily and intensively at this Hungarian University since 2010. The aim of this research is twofold: on the one hand, to examine the macro-statistical data of international students between 2010-2021 (pre pandemic time + during Covid -19 pandemic) based on the whole student’ database with a special focus on the distribution of training by status. Secondly, the aim is to explore the views and experiences of international students during the Covid-19 pandemic regarding different forms of education and students’ university life. We are looking for the answer to the following research questions: How does the pandemic affect students’ daily social and academic life? How satisfied international students are with the available services, programmes? What would they improve the make the university more inclusive? Literature analysis, statistical analysis of personal and educational data (11406 trainings) and an online questionnaire (N=160) gives the methodological basis of this study. The results show that students were mostly satisfied with the form and quality of education during Covid-19, however they need additional scholarship and dormitory housing opportunities, more care with their mental health and also the opportunity to be with not only with other international students but also the Hungarian ones.

keywords: internationalization, inclusive internationalization, Higher Education, international students, Covid-19.