Overseas Students in Australia:

Abstract

This study focuses on the export of higher education as a marketing challenge, with oversease students representing the customers, and universities the providers of a professional service. The theoretical basis for this study is the Disconfirmation of Expectations model, which posits that perceived gaps between pre-purchase expectations and product performance lead to differential levels of post-purchase satisfaction. The study involved in-depth interviews with undergraduate and graduate oversease students at the University of Wollongong. Some of the major findings were: (1) students have well-defined expectations along four major dimensions: learning well-being, social well-being, economic well0being, and personal well-being; (2) pre-arrival expectations are adjusted in line with reality as time passes; and (3)the major determinant of satisfaction appears to be the learning well-being dimension.