What will become of these companies now? More importantly, what about the plight of students today? Here are some thoughts from a college professor on the future of study abroad. This advice comes from my experience living and working in Vietnam. It is designed to provide students, their parents and local education professionals with perspective on emerging global trends.
First, a brief overview of the history of the subject. It is fair to say that over the past 20 to 30 years, the number of students leaving their home countries to study in foreign educational institutions has exploded globally. The reasons for this situation are more complex than it seems at first glance. This change was partly due to broad structural transformations: the Internet, cheaper and better travel options and, above all, schools that accommodated large numbers of foreign students, as well as ministries of Education that recognized the legitimacy of foreign diplomas.
In such an atmosphere, study abroad began to take on a life of its own. This wave has many benefits, but carries an inherent problem that studying abroad could become an expectation that did not require careful thought about either the goals sought or the methods used to achieve them.
So, my first piece of advice is to not decide to study abroad just because you have been offered a place. Over the past two decades, educational institutions have created a large number of new enrollment opportunities and now must fill them. We generally don’t take a bus to an unknown destination because it is possible to buy a ticket. Even more so with studying abroad. We should think about its purpose when the investment price and time are significantly higher.
This is not to say that studying abroad is not a good thing. Studying abroad retains its potential to improve a young person’s life chances, not only in terms of a better career, but also in terms of personal growth. However, a fundamental shift is occurring that, in my opinion, makes studying abroad no longer a sure thing.
Look at the situation from a historical perspective. The increase in study abroad opportunities did not appear out of nowhere. They were the consequence of an even larger process, which researchers call the “massification” of universities. This (funny) word refers not only to the rapid growth in the number and size of universities, but also to the number of needs the university seeks to fill. In 1980, even a world-renowned university like Harvard or Oxford offered far fewer majors and courses of study than today.
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Students participate in a fair in Hanoi on education in the United States, October 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Binh Minh |
Now think about it psychologically. It is well established that in many cases, when consumers’ choices are limited, they do not care as much about the consequences of their choices. While I disagree that people in this situation are therefore happier, I agree that more choices means more anxiety and regret. The massification of universities inevitably brings more choice, with all that this implies for consumer behavior.
There is more. Now look at this from an economic perspective. A striking fact in today’s world is that there is both a growing shortage of workers and increasing difficulties in finding employment. From a distance, this seems illogical. If more people are needed, shouldn’t it be easier to find jobs? But not all jobs are the same. Competition for skilled jobs can be extremely fierce, and job opportunities disappear and change very quickly. Can studying abroad help? Maybe yes and maybe no.
The fact is that the massification of college and the era of frequent study abroad was a product of the world before 2019. What will happen now, no one knows. In this situation, I propose to divide the concept of study abroad into three smaller sections, each with particular characteristics. For fun, I label them like chili peppers:
Benign: A period abroad to improve a basic skill or gain the experience needed to live independently.
AVERAGE: A basic degree abroad, usually a BA. By returning to Vietnam with this diploma, we hope that finding a job will be easier and that we will be able to progress in life.
Spicy: Highly specialized degree, typically advanced, requiring a rigorous program of study in a demanding environment. Those who complete this degree program seek high rewards, but to obtain them they must compete at advanced levels.
It is important to recognize that there is nothing wrong with any of these options. We don’t blame people for choosing different spiciness levels. We should not blame them for choosing the life paths best suited to their situation. However, I am currently saying something that I would not have said in pre-Covid times, which is that “average” may not be the best option.
I can understand why many people might say that “mild” doesn’t yield sufficient results, while “spicy” is out of my reach. I think I’ll choose “medium”. However, we must keep in mind that the “medium” works best in an age of increasing globalization. Things are more difficult now.
Consider that a BA costs a lot more. In Western countries this is often extremely expensive. Furthermore, even with the high cost, it is unclear whether students actually learn from their years of study abroad. In fact, high tuition fees encourage grade inflation and researchers have argued that it is primarily the highest-achieving and most motivated students (especially those focusing on important academic subjects) who benefit from their experience. However, given the job market, even they do not necessarily find a job upon their return. The middle option is not necessarily a safe bet.
As for the “soft” option, I understand why parents only want to invest in something serious. Of course, studying abroad is different from vacationing. However, if a program can provide immersion in a necessary skill, for example learning English, it can provide lasting benefits, especially if the student takes full advantage of this opportunity.
In addition, I have seen first-hand some problems related to the fact that young Vietnamese do not develop the skills and habits expected of adults. At the same time, we must not neglect the pressure these same young people face, as well as the difficulties of becoming independent when you have never had the chance to live alone. There are circumstances where a relatively short period of living and studying abroad can bring more maturation than four years of further study, particularly if the latter is done half-heartedly.
Finally, if a young person is particularly talented and motivated, higher degrees should be considered. Although it is still possible to be self-taught, in today’s world, professional success usually begins with obtaining an advanced degree. Whether this degree should be from a renowned university or just a reputable university requires more debate. It is not clear that a foreign degree invariably confers lasting advantages. What seems clear is that it is increasingly necessary to demonstrate that one can exercise a very high level of competence to occupy highly sought-after positions. When students are fully aware of the risks and feel they will make the most of the opportunities to succeed, it is worth studying higher education degrees abroad.
There is still much to say on all these subjects. But for now, the best way to conclude is to remember that there is no perfect answer, that risks are always present, and that different people should choose different options. Education is an important issue. I wish all students the best, whatever their decision.
*David Pickus received his Ph.D. in history from the University of Chicago. He has taught at Arizona State University, RenMin University in Beijing, and other institutions in the United States, China, and Europe. He has published books and academic essays on topics related to history, education and globalization. He is currently an associate professor of history at a university in Da Nang, Vietnam.
