International Club for International Students in Higher Education : Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences
Ontronen, Juha-Pekka; Turunen, Anni (2009)
Ontronen, Juha-Pekka
Turunen, Anni
Mikkelin ammattikorkeakoulu
2009
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-200912047050
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-200912047050
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this bachelor’s thesis was to find out the current state of the International Club of Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences. Moreover, it was found out how it corresponds to the demands of the students. This thesis was an assignment from Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences (MUAS). Therefore it had an actual and practical purpose.
The theoretical part of the thesis concentrates on cultural differences and internationalisation of students in higher education. Due to the fact that the International Club is meant for students coming from around the world, it was important to pay attention to cultural differences. MUAS is an institution of higher education, thus it was needed to examine also the internationalisation in general and in MUAS.
In this study both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. As a part of the qualitative study, two structured phone interviews were implemented. The interviews gave a possibility to compare the situation of international clubs in three towns; in Mikkeli, Jyväskylä, and Turku. They also gave an understanding of what activities and events there can be arranged at all. As a minor part of the study, also Facebook groups of the international clubs were examined. Moreover, a survey was implemented for Business Management students and exchange students in order to see the situation from students’ point of view. The findings of the interviews were used when designing the survey form.
The main findings were that the students in Mikkeli desire for more activities and events of any kind and that the International Club should increase the students’ knowledge about its existence and its operations. Nevertheless, it was found out that there has been improvement in its operations recently.
The theoretical part of the thesis concentrates on cultural differences and internationalisation of students in higher education. Due to the fact that the International Club is meant for students coming from around the world, it was important to pay attention to cultural differences. MUAS is an institution of higher education, thus it was needed to examine also the internationalisation in general and in MUAS.
In this study both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. As a part of the qualitative study, two structured phone interviews were implemented. The interviews gave a possibility to compare the situation of international clubs in three towns; in Mikkeli, Jyväskylä, and Turku. They also gave an understanding of what activities and events there can be arranged at all. As a minor part of the study, also Facebook groups of the international clubs were examined. Moreover, a survey was implemented for Business Management students and exchange students in order to see the situation from students’ point of view. The findings of the interviews were used when designing the survey form.
The main findings were that the students in Mikkeli desire for more activities and events of any kind and that the International Club should increase the students’ knowledge about its existence and its operations. Nevertheless, it was found out that there has been improvement in its operations recently.