Zsuzsa M. CSÁSZÁR, Department of Political Geography and Development and Regional Studies, Unviersity of Pécs, Hungary
Kitti KÖVES, Department of Political Geography and Development and Regional Studies, Unviersity of Pécs, Hungary
The growing number of international students is a global phenomenon. As a special type of migration, it has significant effects on the local and regional economies and society. According to a multitude of research, the presence of international students is economically beneficial for the universities, the cities they are situated in, as well as the country of destination in a broader sense.
The government and the higher education institutions in Hungary put great effort into attracting foreign students, their active role and focused strategies are considered outstanding in the CEE region. The numbers of international students have increased dynamically, by 326% in the last decade. In 2020, international students accounted for 13% of Hungary's total number of university students. International students have become a significant element of many major Hungarian campuses and their host cities. In early 2020, for a government commission, unique and pioneering research was conducted on the economic impacts of inward student mobility. The results of the large sample questionnaire survey provided a comprehensive database, which allowed us to measure the local as well as the systemic level economic impact of international students; to examine their role and significance as a consumer group; to analyze their multiplier economic effects; to disclose the direct payments into the economy; and to analyze their role in tourism, as well their participation in the studentification process of each university city. An advanced, previously unapplied method has been developed for the measurement of these various economic effects.
The study pays special attention to Chinese students as China is the most dynamically growing sending country in Hungary, with a great potential for further expansion. Therefore, Chinese students’ spending habits and their characteristics were analyzed and compared to the total population of international students.
Keywords: international students|Chinese students|economic impact|Hungary|studentification
A104182KK