Ninth Level Ireland

Abstract: Some of the main concerns in international higher education are the feeling of isolation among international students and their inability to adapt to the host environment, which may result in sub-optimal academic performance. Theoretically, peer learning can be an effective method to reduce these problems since it has the capacity to address isolation and adaptability issues among international students in a way that improves their learning experience and outcomes. Given the above, our study was designed to investigate this topic, focusing on the experience of international students. In this exploratory case study of a leading Irish university, we adopted a survey method via questionnaire to quantify and compare the experiences of a sample of international students at the said university. Five aspects of peer learning were explored, namely usage rate, current practices, outcomes, challenges, and coping strategies. We also included an open-ended section in the survey instrument for respondents to offer qualitative suggestions to the host institution. Through methodological triangulation of the quantitative and qualitative data, we discovered diverse practices, challenges, and outcomes of peer learning across different groups of international students in this university. The paper concludes with a discussion of research implications and suggestions for future studies.

Idris, A, Ion, G, Seery A Peer learning in international higher education: the experience of international students in an Irish university, Irish Educational Studies, 2018, 38, 1, 1-24.

“Julia Bochenek, a second-year English Literature student at Trinity, is one of the many international students living in one of Dublin’s – and Ireland’s – many deluxe purpose-built student accommodation complexes …” (more)

[Rachel O’Leary, University Times, 5 October]

“Trinity College Dublin is considering cutting its intake of Irish students by up to a quarter over the next five years in order to protect the quality of its education. Such a move would likely result in a sharp increase in the number of CAO points required for courses due to increased competition for fewer places …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 2 October]

“Global university rankings matter. Real or not, perceptions matter. In a globalised world, they matter when it comes to competing for research funding from multinational corporations, or other sources that want to believe they are investing in the best talent and infrastructure to optimise the outcomes. Irish graduates have also found they matter to prospective employers, in the US and elsewhere around the world …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 12 September]

“Zoe Ellingboe almost didn’t go to Trinity. The first-year theoretical physics student was close to making the jump to university abroad, due to Irish institutes slipping in higher education rankings. ‘Trinity was the centre of theoretical physics during the 1800s, and they were very much toting that when we had our first Introduction to Physics – which sounded really cool, except [for] the fact that the thing they’re most proud of is in the 1800s’, she said …” (more)

[Sarah Mooney, Irish Times, 11 September]

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[Gavin O’Callaghan, DublinLive, 29 August]

“For the past decade or so, Irish universities with an eye on expansion have been looking towards Asia or the Middle East. Most major colleges now have formal links or satellite campuses spread right across the region and are attracting growing numbers of international students …” (more)

[Bill Corcoran, Irish Times, 17 August]

“Universities in the Netherlands fear the government may force international students to do part of their degrees in Dutch, potentially decimating recruitment from outside the country. Several sources have told Times Higher Education that this is one of the ideas being considered by the country’s Ministry of Education, Culture and Science ahead of a policy announcement expected next month …” (more)

[David Matthews, Inside Higher Ed, 15 August]

“Recent events have stirred debate over the treatment of international students in China. From special ‘buddy programmes’ for visiting students to lenient treatment of misbehaviour, many decry the apparent preferential treatment given to foreigners on campus …” (more)

[Wang Huiyao, South China Morning Post, 6 August]

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[Jade Wilson, Irish Times, 30 July]

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[Jess Casey, Irish Examiner, 21 June]

“Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail): Níl éinne eile anseo. B’fhéidir go gcríochnóidh an díospóireacht níos luaithe ná mar a chríochnódh sé de ghnáth. Fianna Fáil is committed to maintaining and improving the highest standards in education. It is intended to increase the number of international students and the number of students entering higher education in this country is increasing all the time. It is vital, therefore, that these students are supported by a high quality education system …” (more)

[Dáil debates, 12 June]

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[Jack Power, Irish Times, 23 May]

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[Jack Power, Irish Times, 21 May]

“Charging EU citizens full international student fees to study in England risks ‘pulling up the drawbridge’ after Brexit, higher education leaders and opposition parties have warned, calling on the government to clarify its policy …” (more)

[Richard Adams, Guardian, 28 April]

“A chara, – I read with interest the story on page one of your excellent newspaper that outlined the fears that universities have now apparently expressed that, due to State underfunding, there may have to be a cap imposed on the number of Irish students …” (more)

[E Dillon, Irish Times, 5 April]

“The Irish Universities Association (IUA) have suggested the possibility of having to limit University places for Irish students in future years due to funding shortages within the sector. The IUA have attributed this possible move to the growing number of students in the sector, and lowered investment by the government …” (more)

[Peter Kelly, Trinity News, 4 April]

“Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD has today Wednesday, 20 March, announced the development of an Irish Studies Centre at Shanghai University, deepening further the links between UCC and China. UCC was one of several Irish third level institutions present when the Minister witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding with Chinese education partners during Minister McHugh’s St Patrick’s Day programme …” (more)

[Department of Education and Skills, 20 March]

“The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD today (Monday March 18th) witnessed the signing of a number of Memorandums of Understanding between Irish higher education institutions and Chinese education partners during his trip to China as part of the Government’s programme of St Patrick’s Day visits …” (more)

[Department of Education and Skills, 18 March]

“International students are four times more likely to use medical and counselling services than Irish students, the College has said. Speaking to The University Times, Senior Tutor Aidan Seery said: ‘A bit of research has been done and an international student who is here for at least a year is four times more likely to use the services of the medical centre or counselling than a local student …'” (more)

[Aisling Marren, University Times, 7 March]