Expectations, dispositions, and experiences of international graduate students

This chapter seeks to examine the expectations, dispositions, and experiences of international graduate students in a publicly funded university in Singapore. Using a qualitative research design, a total of 4 focus groups involving some 33 graduate international students from 8 countries were conducted. It was found that their expectations were set mainly in economic dimensions. These included good job opportunities, attractive salaries, and good career development prospects in Singapore. In terms of dispositions, participants' considerations for studying overseas were tied closely to the aspiration for graduate education as well as the perceived appeal of an educational qualification from Singapore. In terms of experiences, participants enjoyed pleasant encounters both on-campus and off-campus. Most felt welcomed and could cope well with their studies. This chapter paints a number of future trends before it concludes with a few implications for policy makers as well as suggestions for future research.