Transnational Student Experience: Educational Spaces Created by Globalization

It is accepted that education today is continually challenged by the process of economic globalization. Consequently the international knowledge network is constantly affected by developments beyond the control of academic institutions. In response to this increasingly integrated world economy, governments and academic institutes implement policies and programmes of internationalisation. These shifting paradigms driven by technological and societal transformation direct education towards embracing international exchange to enhance the student experience and extend global expertise. International inter-institutional partnerships in education are a common practice globally. Joint ventures termed as transnational education seek to ensure curriculum equivalence. Transnationalism allows a wider range of educational options for students through these partnerships, filling the gaps that exist in the systems of each partner. However the reality is far from ideal. Transnationalism presents potentials and pitfalls which challenge the success of the programmes, as students transition from one learning paradigm to another. This paper explores the partnership between Unitec, New Zealand and an Asian automotive institute and highlights the impediments transnational students encounter with teaching and learning. It also reflects on teaching and learning strategies required to enhance the overseas student learning experience that may be considerably different from that on their home campus