Sibiu Alma Mater University Journals. Series A. Economic Sciences – Volume 7, no. 1, April / 2014
Survey: The opinion of Romanian students about studying abroad
Leila BARDAŞUC
Faculty of Economics, Alma Mater University of Sibiu, 57 Somesului St., 550003 Sibiu, Romania
Phone/Fax: +40 269 250008, e-mail: leila.bardasuc@yahoo.com
Abstract
The current paper focuses on an online study (survey) performed on Romanian students from within the country or
abroad, with internet access, regarding their opinions on the possibility on following a study program abroad, the
advantages and/or disadvantages that they see by choosing this option. The study started after an observation of late
mobility trends that show a massive emigration rate of young Romanians and had as an objective stating the main
reasons that determine students to choose studying abroad, among which where considered better job/career
opportunities, more innovative, flexible study, internships and practice programs and better reputation in comparison
with universities in Romania.
Keywords: online survey, international, education, opportunities
Rezumat
Prezentul articol se concentrează în jurul unui studiu online efectuat asupra studenţilor români din interiorul ţării şi
din străinătate, care deţin acces la internet, cu privire la opiniile lor legate de posibilitatea de a urma un program
educaţional în afara ţării. Studiul a pornit după o observare a ultimelor trenduri de mobilitate a persoanelor, care
indică o rată de emigrare ridicată a tinerilor români, şi are ca obiectiv determinarea principalelor motive care îi fac
pe studenţii români să alegă să studieze afară, motive printre care s-au considerat: oportunităţi mai multe de a avansa
în carieră sau la locul de muncă, programe de practică şi internship-uri mai flexibile şi mai inovative, sau o reputaţie
mai bună în comparaţie cu universităţile din România.
Cuvinte cheie: Studiu online, internacional, educaţie, oportunităţi
students who study in Germany) data, the
number is around 30.000, 3-4% of total
Romanian students, but it is in a slight increase
from year to year (1). Because there is no
institution or organization that collects data
about the number of students abroad, we can
only guess or make a assumptions. But the
article focuses on the motives and interests
that determine students to search for
educational programs abroad. A recent article
in the Financial Journal (Ziarul Financiar) that
also basis some of the date on the Educativa
group survey and other information from
educational non-profit organizations in
Romania, emphasis the fact that the taxes are
considerable reducing at universities abroad, to
facilitate the access for students everywhere
and that the preferred destination for
Romanian students in particular are Germany,
France and United States.
1. Introduction
The current paper focuses on an online study
(survey) performed on Romanian students
from within the country or abroad, with
internet access, regarding their opinions on the
possibility on following a study program
abroad, the advantages and/or disadvantages
that they see by following this option. The
study started after an observation of late
mobility trends that show a massive
emigration rate of young Romanians.
There is no definite number of students
registered at universities abroad, but according
to a recent study performed by the Educativa
group (provides counseling for admission to
foreign universities by Edmundo service) that
centralized statistics based on UNESCO,
OECD, Institute for International Education
(number of Romanian students who study in
the U.S.) and DAAD (number of Romanian
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Leila BARDAŞUC – Survey: The opinion of Romanian students about studying abroad
A more recent study, however, from 2013
described in an article from Wall-street
Journal, mentions that the main countries
chosen by Romanian students are Great
Britain, Denmark and Holland (followed by
France and Spain), due to the possibility to
learn in English and that there are about 7000
Romanian students that annually choose to go
abroad for their education (2). Another study
that brought to attention the desire of
Romanian students to opt for a foreign
university was conducted in 2013 and its
results discussed in an article published on
hotnews.ro. According to SmartDreamers, the
company that conducted the survey among
1500 respondents and on which the article is
based, 78% of them are determined to go
abroad in search of a better salary, but also in
hopes they could save enough to buy a house
or car, or to start a business. 22% of them put
first extra financial matters such as personal
development and education of the child (3).
O1: Determine the main reason that would
cause or had caused Romanian students to
choose a university from abroad to undertake
their studies.
O2: Find out if Romanian students are
interested in study programs abroad.
O3: Establish the main advantages that
Romanian students see when they compare a
study program abroad with a similar one in
their own country.
O4: Establish the main disadvantages that
Romanian students see when they think of
following a study program abroad.
The secondary objective is to determine the
ages, sex and occupation of Romanian
students and see if these statistical variables
related to origin, occupation, sex or age can
influence the answers of the survey.
3. Materials and methods
With such an increased interest and belief in
better opportunities abroad, it is normal to
have an increased desire to study abroad in
order to facilitate access to a better life and job
there as well. There was a survey conducted
also to evaluate the confidence of Romanian
students regarding success abroad. Thus, 63%
believe that their opportunities are positive.
However, the level of confidence in these
opportunities declined slightly in recent years,
the value of 71% in 2009 to 67% in 2011 (4).
Romanian students have positively evaluated
their competitiveness in the international
context, the trend is positive: 59% are
currently
evaluating
themselves
as
competitive, an increase from 47% in 2011
(4).
As a method, I used an online survey, sharing
the link to Romanian students (or people that
are currently undertaking a study program at a
university) and that have internet access.
Number of responses: 53.
Responses by location: 44 surveys completed
in Romania, 3 in Germany, 2 surveys
completed in France, 2 in the United
Kingdom, 1 in Canada and 1 in the United
States.
The survey was completed in the month of
October, 2013, limiting the access to one
whole month. The month of October was
chosen because on the 1st of October is the
starting day of all university programs in
Romania.
First step was creating a survey with 9
questions, to evaluate the perception of
Romanian students regarding the option of
studying abroad, what advantages and
disadvantages they see related to this
possibility. Next, creating a quantitative
investigation, this consisted in sharing the link
to the survey to the statistic sample of people
chosen. The database obtained by answers to
2. Objectives
The investigation focuses on students in
Romania, or people that are currently in a
study program in the country or abroad. As the
survey was conducted online, the people
chosen to answer the questions had to have
internet access as well. The main objective
was to determine the reasons that would cause
Romanian students to study abroad.
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Sibiu Alma Mater University Journals. Series A. Economic Sciences – Volume 7, no. 1, April / 2014
the survey conducted was then analysed and
the results interpreted.
majority of students interviewed (a reported
commented why the answer to the question is
yes and explained why not), I have bound
them in the table bellow and it is obvious to
see that the majority of people that want to go
abroad want to take advantage of new
opportunities
and
experience,
better
educational programs, job and career
opportunities. On the other side, even if there
are few people that are not interested in
leaving Romania for study, the main problem
that they see is the lack of money, time for
starting a new study program or think that the
studies taken so far are enough.
Universe: Romanian students enrolled in
graduate programs at different universities
from Romania and abroad.
3. Results and discussion
Romanian students are interested in following,
applying for a study program abroad, and
32,9% of them also shared the reasons that
determine them to want to continue their
studies or not in a foreign country. After
centralizing the explications given by the
Fig. 1 Answer to question: Would you be interested in a study program abroad?
Table 1 Students explanations to question: Would you be interested in a study program abroad? Why yes/no?
Why YES
1. For more opportunities.
2. Job opportunities.
3. It is always a good time to start a study program, regardless whether it is in
Romania or abroad.
4. Because I want to find out more about the educational system abroad and to
develop my skills.
5. It is definitely better than home.
6. More opportunities and more knowledge.
7. Because an experience in a foreign college is useful whatever university you
choose. New experiences open your mind.
8. Because the university I would like to go it is the best in its domain.
9. More job opportunities.
10. A lot of opportunities.
11. It would be an experience I'd never forget.
12. For experience.
13. Diversity.
14. Curiosity.
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Why NO
1. No money.
2. 14 years of school is
enough.
3. Lack of time.
4. The costs are too high.
Leila BARDAŞUC – Survey: The opinion of Romanian students about studying abroad
15. Because I will have a better chance to find work.
16. To get a new experience.
17. It’s a unique experience, once in a lifetime, and I get to live in a different
country.
18. I plan on living abroad after graduating from university (also abroad), for the
same reasons as the ones listed above.
19. To try something else.
20. Study abroad is a new experience for everyone.
21. A flexible educational program, a relaxed learning environment, another
mentality.
The social indicators of the students included
in the survey are listed in the pie graphs
bellow. It is no surprise that most of the
respondents are of urban origin and between
20-30 years of age, which confirm national
statistics of people included in upper
educational programs.
Fig.2 Respondents age, sex and origin
Only 43 people answered the question State
the main reason that would determine, or has
determined you, to choose to follow the study
program of a university abroad, from a total of
53, so we will consider 10 non-answers (NA).
As we can see from both table and diagram,
the majority of students stated as main reasons
for studying abroad better employment, career
chances and better remuneration. Following
extremely close the reasons related to the job,
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Sibiu Alma Mater University Journals. Series A. Economic Sciences – Volume 7, no. 1, April / 2014
employment domain, come the conception of
having better teachers, practice and study
programs. The reputation of foreign
universities and new technologies are not in
the top three, which can mean that Romanian
students can find innovational systems,
technologies in Romania as well. Also, the
persons interviewed are attracted to new
experiences of living and studying abroad, and
the only way in which Romanian universities
can compete with this or satisfy the needs of
their students is with partnerships with foreign
universities, offering study programs abroad
like Erasmus.
Main reason that would determine or has determined Romanian students
to choose to follow a studz program abroad
NA
Better quality of teaching
and/or practice, study
programs
2
Better employment
chances, remuneration
and/or career opportunities
Better reputation of the
universities
New/better technologies
1
New experience
0
5
10
15
Fig.3 Answers to question: Main reason that would determine or has determined Romanian students to choose to
follow a study program abroad
Fig. 4 Respondents’ occupation
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Leila BARDAŞUC – Survey: The opinion of Romanian students about studying abroad
Regarding occupation, the graph above shows
that the majority of people interviewed do not
have another occupation and are just students,
approximately 60% of total respondents. The
motives invoked for not being interested in a
study program abroad (lack of money, many
expenses) are also the main reasons considered
to be an impediment in choosing to follow or
continue studying in a foreign country. More
than 70% of respondents feel that living in a
foreign country and studying there is too
expensive and cannot afford it. Only few are
afraid of cultural, language differences and
uncertainties of a new environment. This can
suggest that, if they would have the financial
means or earning opportunities, they would
probably see no problem in living and
studying in a foreign country. The interesting
thing to find out in a future investigation is the
amount of people that would choose a foreign
university detrimental to a national one, if the
costs weren’t a problem. Maybe the statistics
regarding
Romanian
students
with
scholarships abroad can give some answers to
this question. And also, number of Romanian
students enrolled in Erasmus or other mobility
programs abroad.
Fig.5 Answers to question: Which of the following would you consider to be a disadvantage when choosing to follow
a study program abroad
Fig. 6 Answer to question: Rate the following advantages of following a study program abroad
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Sibiu Alma Mater University Journals. Series A. Economic Sciences – Volume 7, no. 1, April / 2014
Overall, we can see that all the advantages
listed above managed to score passing grades
(even more, grades higher than 7 and 8) If we
analyze the ratings above by each advantage
considered however, we can see that the
highest rate (10 points) was allocated to Better
chance to find work and/or internships abroad.
The rest of the respondents marked it with 5, 7
or 8, which means that it is an important
characteristic when taking into consideration
studying abroad. For flexible educational
programs, the majority of respondents rated it
with 7 points, followed by 8 and 10 points.
Innovating teaching programs and/or methods
was rated with 8, 9 and 10 points, making it a
high
evaluated
advantage.
Practice
opportunities makes also 10 points in high
rates, followed by 9, 8 and 7 marks, a fact that
also draws attention to it when it comes to
deciding on a study program in another
country.
4. Conclusions
The answers give to the survey show an
increased interest in what foreign countries
have to offer to Romanian students. Interest
that not only refers at better paid jobs, but that
extends to creating a life there, and reaching
those better paid jobs by finishing their studies
in a well-known, adaptable university, capable
of offering practice, internship opportunities
and experience. The competition on the market
is increasing, due to an extent mobility
characteristic that young people all over the
world now possess (probably due to the
globalization phenomena) and that are willing
to move abroad to follow a study program that
suits their needs, that can teach them what
their want in order to be prepared to join the
workforce and to accede to better position in
their careers.
In this competition, only the strong
universities can survive, and chasing
customers has extended on an international
scale, converting them into multinational
companies.
The same thing is happening with the other
three advantages considered for the survey
(better chance for promotion, specialized
teachers and educational programs better
adapter to their needs), making them important
facts to take in regard when trying to seek own
strategic advantages or strengths when you are
an university in Romania. All of the
advantages rated above with high notes
indicate a clear taste of Romanian students for
a better, more flexible, work oriented and
innovative educational system. A system that
has to improve in this direction in our country
if we want to keep our students here, and keep
them satisfied.
References
http://www.zf.ro/eveniment/cati-studenti-romani-invatain-strainatate-22-000-35-000-sau-50-000-6952029
http://www.wallstreet.ro/articol/Social/155333/integraledu-in-jur-de25-27-000-de-studenti-romani-invata-in-strainatatein-special-in-marea-britanie-olanda-sidanemarca.html
http://economie.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-15254710studiu-78-dintre-tineri-vor-plece-peste-hotarepentru-salariu-mai-mare.htm
http://www.capital.ro/detalii-articole/stiri/186560.html
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