Australian universities' strategic goals of student exchange and participation rates in outbound exchange programmes

Abstract

International student exchange programmes are acknowledged as one aspect of a broader suite of internationalisation strategies aimed at enhancing students' intercultural understanding and competence. The decision to participate in an exchange programme is dependent on both individual and contextual factors such as student exchange policies and programmes of the home university. The aim of the current study was to demonstrate the relationship between participation rates in Australian university exchange programmes and the presence of a clear strategic goal specific to student exchange. While there was a significant relationship between the specific strategic goal of student exchange and programme participation rates, the implementation process appears to play a greater role in influencing student participation. It is suggested that the success of an exchange programme is moderated by organisational factors such as leadership and organisational culture, national government international education policies, and the level of resourcing and accountability.