In recent years, there has been a growing trend among international students who pursue higher education abroad, only to return to their home countries feeling unfulfilled and disillusioned with their post-degree activities. A significant number of overseas graduates are now speaking out, expressing their disappointment and frustration with the lack of meaningful opportunities available to them after completing their studies.
According to a recent survey, nearly 60% of international students who returned to their home countries after graduating from universities abroad reported feeling that their post-degree activities were “not meaningful” or “unrelated” to their field of study. This phenomenon is not limited to any particular region or country, with students from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas all sharing similar sentiments.
So, what’s driving this sense of disillusionment among overseas graduates? One major factor is the mismatch between the skills and knowledge acquired during their studies and the job opportunities available in their home countries. Many international students pursue degrees in fields that are in high demand globally, only to find that these fields are not as sought after in their home countries. As a result, they are forced to take up jobs that are unrelated to their field of study, leading to a sense of frustration and waste of their skills.
Another factor contributing to this trend is the lack of support and guidance provided to international students after they graduate. Universities and governments often focus on attracting international students, but neglect to provide them with adequate support and resources to help them transition into the workforce. This can leave students feeling abandoned and unsure of how to navigate the job market in their home countries.
The implications of this trend are far-reaching, with potential consequences for the economy, society, and individual students. It is essential for universities, governments, and employers to work together to address this issue, by providing international students with more meaningful and relevant post-degree opportunities that align with their skills and interests. By doing so, we can ensure that the investment made in international education yields a positive return, both for the individual students and for the societies they return to.
