Gone are the days when international students were solely graduate students. Today, international students are finding another reason to travel overseas - vocational education.

International students certainly have a wide range of vocational training to choose from. In Australia, for example, the top five subject areas chosen by international students in vocational schools are hospitality management, business management, business and management, cookery, and hairdressing.

International Demand
Demand for vocational education is on the rise worldwide, according to a recent report in Education Travel magazine. Students of all nationalities are enrolling in vocational schools, but in countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K., the majority of international students hail from China, India, Korea, and Japan.

In New Zealand, the percentage of international students at institutes of technology and polytechnics increased by 7.6 percent between 2007 and 2008.

During the same period, Australia reported a 10.4 percent increase in international students. A year later, enrollment grew another 35 percent. In Australia today, there are more international students at vocational schools than traditional universities.

In the United States, enrollment of international students at community colleges has steadily increased since 2005-2006. And from 2008 to 2009, community colleges experienced a 10.5 percent international student enrollment growth - the highest of any type of U.S. higher education institution.

Why Vocational Education?
There are plenty of reasons for international students to consider vocational education. A key factor may be the world financial crisis and the increased competition for jobs. With vocational training, international students can learn an in-demand trade and boost their chances of employment wherever they choose to live.

Compared to traditional universities, vocational colleges present lower fees, shorter programs, and lower entrance qualifications. International students who are seeking higher education at a better price are turning to vocational schools to meet their needs.

And for those who plan to transfer to a bigger university to pursue a higher degree, vocational schools can help ease the transition. Attending smaller schools like vocational schools can help international students get acclimated to a new country before they jump into a long-term degree program.

Many international students are also looking for opportunities for immigration, and some countries have simplified their immigration policies to pave the way for international student entry. Visa fees are relatively low in Germany, for example, and France has recently streamlined its visa process. In Australia, the vocational education industry began growing rapidly in 2005, when the government made it easier for international students in areas of occupational shortage to attain permanent residency after graduation. 

Still another boon for vocational education is the increase in federal scholarship money earmarked for international students. In the United States, for instance, the Community College Initiative Program enables international students from Brazil, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey, and selected countries in Central America to spend a year studying at community colleges in the U.S. and earn a vocational certificate.

International students who are ready to launch in-demand careers can reach their goals at vocational schools worldwide.

Statistics Source: Education Travel magazine