ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SOJOURNS AT FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES IN THE RESEARCH TRAINING PERIOD

Year 2001, , 23 - 30, 13.01.2001

Svein Kyvık

https://doi.org/10.14783/maruoneri.727397

Abstract

This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages which a prolonged period at a foreign university, as part of his or her research training, offers the doctoral student. Despite increased interest in student mobility at the postgraduate level, little research on actual experiences of sojourns abroad among doctoral students has been conducted. The study shows that in general benefits far outweigh the problems related to such stays. Help with dissertation work, development of general research qualifications, and personal development are regarded as the most valuable experiences; whilst delays in work on a thesis, poor contact with professors at foreign institutions, and family and social problems seem to be the principal problems. A number of issues seem to be inhibiting the extension of foreign doctoral training among Nordic postgraduates: tensions and dilemmas within the research training programme, lack of time and funding, lack of motivation and internal support, nationally oriented theses, and family obligations. The study concludes that this kind of mobility is one means, albeit an important one, of enhancing the quality of doctoral training and stimulating young scholars’ professional development.

Keywords

TRAINING PERIOD, RESEARCH TRAINING PERIOD, FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES

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