Bernadett GÁSZNÉ BÖSZ, University of Pécs, Faculty of Sciences, Doctoral School of Earth Sciences , Hungary
Éva SCHULTZ, University of Pécs, Faculty of Sciences, Doctoral School of Earth Sciences / Budapest Business School, Faculty of Commerce, Hospitality and Tourism , Hungary
International student mobility provides not only learning experiences but also the possibility of facing intercultural challenges. The cultural impacts during a student mobility programme can be even more important than the effects of formal education. Self-determination and personal development, intercultural awareness, soft skills such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork are only some of the lifelong benefits of student mobility. Furthermore, these programmes have some common points with tourism such as spending time away from home, exploring new cultures, experience seeking etc.
Our study explores the motivation and the practice of international students as “cultural tourists”. Our aim is to examine, to what extent students are immersed in the cultural life of a given place and to what extent they become cultural consumers. The empirical research focuses on the cultural consumption from multiple aspects: needs, attitudes, experiences, intercultural impacts will also be examined in the context of the host country’s cultural supply in a broader sense (from heritage attractions to everyday life’s culture).
The blended primary research methodology contains quantitative and qualitative methods (questionnaire, semi-structured focus group interviews). The sample is divided in three sub-samples including Hungarian students learning abroad; Hungarian students learning in Hungary but planning international study; international students learning in Hungary. The practical implications have relevancy both for international student mobility organisers and for tourism stakeholders.
Mots clés : student mobility|cultural consumption|cultural tourism|lifelong experience
A105030?S