International Postgraduate Students’ use of Academic Libraries: At the Auckland University of Technology and in their Home Countries

Abstract

Research problem: Given the importance of international postgraduate students to the New Zealand tertiary education sector and the the focus on research from Government it is critical that they are supported by the institutions they attend. The goal of this study is to understand the perceptions and experiences that international postgraduate students have of academic libraries in their own countries and how this may affect their experience at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Library.

Methodology: The study employs a qualitative methodology involving eight semi-structured interviews. Postgraduate students studying at the AUT were interviewed, four from China and four from India. Hofstede’s theory of cultural dimensions has been employed to clarify and support the findings.

Result: The international postgraduate students’ experiences of academic libraries in their home countries when compared to that of the AUT Library are very different. The library experience in India and China was less central to the learning experience where as at AUT, the Library offers a wide range of different types of support which were found to be well used by the study’s participants. Geert Hofstede’s cultural dimensions supports the findings when comparing the three cultures, India, China and New Zealand in the educational context.

Implications: This research adds to the body of knowledge surrounding the understanding of international students’ experiences in New Zealand. It is hope it can assist academic libraries in New Zealand understand international postgraduate students’ unique perspective and tailor services to their requirements. Future research could focus on particular services utilised by postgraduate international students or on different faculty.