EDUCATION TOURISM

As the world slowly turns into a Gigantic Global Village, the education sector is slowly adapting to emerging world trends. The United States is an example of a Nation which reaps handsomely from its education system. Thousands of foreign students stream into the country each year, majority from third world countries. These foreign students spend their education investments in the United States and though barely whispered, ‘’ foreign students are a major boost to the US economy’’.

Stringent Visa application laws have made foreign students to shy away from the US as the preferred country for higher studies. The geographic location of Australia has endowed the continent with a mild climate, which is easily adaptable to humans. The education system and its instruction methods are highly regarded across the world. As such Australia ought to attract thousands of education tourists each year.

Globalization is also driving Top universities to go online. The provision of online degrees is a threat to the traditional face-to-face mode of instruction and future threat to on-ground Universities. Though preferred by older students enrolling for higher education, online University education attracts few under graduate applicants. The allure of well planned cities, modern education facilities and an amazing Outback, Australia is a continent well worth, to sample.

Many young people around the world are yearning to experience and visit different countries. Education institutions should tap into this niche market and attract students to on-ground Universities in Australia. The future of on-ground University will be determined by how these institutions can market themselves to students. The study and social environment of the University will be a major factor when making choices. The option whether students will opt online or on-ground for their future studies is still debatable.

Education has to evolve and be sold as a product. Many will criticize the commercialization of education institutions but to survive our Universities have to stay on the ground. This will easily be achieved through Education Tourism.