Bis research paper number 128 The wider benefits of international higher education in the uk

Socio-cultural benefits 
Beyond their studies, and the immediate employment consequences of their mobility 
period, ISM can result in several forms of socio-cultural impact upon students and host 
communities. Many of these impacts are less tangible, particularly in the short-term, and 
tend to relate more to the development of ‘softer’ skills. Mobile students, through time 
spent abroad, gain exposure to other cultures and can develop relationships and 
friendships with both host country students and students from other parts of the world. 
Living and studying in a multi-cultural environment can help students to acquire such 
attributes as tolerance and respect for diversity, often associated with highly desirable 
characteristics such as ‘cosmopolitanism’ and ‘global citizenship’. Such competencies will 
assist international graduates to gain advantage when seeking to enter the labour market 
(Diamond et al., 2012); for example they might result in increased confidence, greater 
understanding of other cultures and how to work with them, and provide access to 
international networks – all of which are likely to provide additional benefits to them in their 
future lives. 
Some similar benefits can be gained by fellow students (home and international) who 
study alongside internationally mobile students, and to an extent for the wider host 
community should they engage in work, volunteering or leisure activities. Many host 
institutions and wider communities become far more multi-cultural through the presence of 
international students. However, whether exposure to students from other cultures 
manifests in greater tolerance can depend on the nature of these interactions and the 
degree of integration of internationally mobile students into their host communities. There 
is potential for a ‘darker side’ which can include racism or violence against international 
students, concerns about over-representation of international students on university 
campuses, and a lack of integration between domestic and international students. 
 
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The Wider Benefits of International Higher Education in the UK