How HAMK could integrate its international students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the difficulties that new international students face in integrating into HAMK Valkeakoski´s study environment. The methods used were interviews with some students and a questionnaire in HAMK Valkeakoski. Three hundred questionnaires were completed and the results were analyzed with the SPSS and Webropol programs. The main part of the thesis was the in-depth research and study that was carried out in HAMK Valkeakoski to identify HAMK´s study environment, HAMK’s integration practices, expectations of international students, and expectations from international students. It also made sure that the system in HAMK Valkeakoski was benched marked with many other Universities around the world. The thesis went on to identify the decision processes of international students, the reasons why they choose to study in Finland and how they came to make that decision. The Thesis concludes by making suggestions and recommendations for HAMK Valkeakoski to carry out in order to succeed in integrating its international students