Reflections on the Perceptions and Experience of International Students in the University of Delhi, India - A Primary Data-Based Analysis

Abstract

The study takes the University of Delhi, India, as a case study to understand how to achieve internationalisation of higher education in India. Through a focus group discussion, it first attempts to understand the perceptions of International Students (ISs) regarding diverse aspects of the university in detail. By employing exploratory factor analysis on the data collected from 99 ISs, it then tries to identify and explain the factors that could have had a bearing on the student’s overall satisfaction with the university experience. Lastly, it segments the respondents into two clusters, differentiating them on varying satisfaction parameters using cluster analysis. Through the study, we have been able to identify the various challenges faced by ISs and suggest ways to make their experience more satisfactory. The results underline a substantial need for the university to emphasise the socio-cultural integration of ISs and streamline the admission process to attract them because satisfied ISs are more likely to recommend their institution to prospective students.