How International Students Perceive the International Learning Environment in the Netherlands, Türkiye, and Malaysia

Xu X., Chong P. Y., Bulut Şahin B., CEYDİLEK E., Bos N. A.

Journal of Studies in International Education, 2025 (SSCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/10283153251343129
  • Journal Name: Journal of Studies in International Education
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, EBSCO Education Source, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Public Affairs Index
  • Keywords: cultural groups, international learning environment, international students, Internationalization of higher education, student perception
  • TED University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study examines how international students from different cultural groups perceive their International Learning Environments (ILE) in three institutions located in the Netherlands, Türkiye, and Malaysia. Data were collected from 292 international students pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees using the standardized MILES survey, with 31.8% of responses from the Netherlands, 34.9% from Türkiye, and 33.2% from Malaysia. We used the Kruskal-Wallis Test and ANOVA for quantitative data analysis, and content analysis for the qualitative data. Results indicate that, across the three universities, international students scored highest in the goal direction domain and lowest in the relationships domain. No significant differences in goal direction or relationship domains among the three institutions or by cultural groups, but variations were found in supporting services. The main differences lie in the English proficiency of support staff. The study contributes to developing support services to enhance the ILE.