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Abstract

Future-focused skills (FFSs) is an umbrella term identified by multiple international organizations to describe the kinds of attributes that individuals need to be successful in the interconnected world of the 2020s and beyond. International mobility experience has been supported in the literature to enhance participants’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions beyond the domains of their degrees. However, limited empirical research has explored the development of FFSs in mobility schemes for early or mid-career professionals studying postgraduate degrees around the world, especially in Western contexts. Built on a PhD study, this article reports the perspectives of Vietnamese academics of FFSs and their growth in FFSs from participating in mobility experiences in over 10 English-speaking countries. A thematic analysis of 132 survey respondents and 20 in-depth interviews revealed their beliefs, engagement, and influential factors for their FFSs development. This provides important implications for participants and stakeholders of international mobility programs worldwide.

Keywords

future-focused skills international education mobility programs Vietnamese academics

Introduction

Multiple international organisations have shared similar ideas about the attributes needed to prepare individuals for their future. The current discussion refers to different concepts, such as Twenty-first Century Skills, Transversal Competencies, Core Skills and Competences, Skills for 2030, Key Competences for Lifelong Learning, and Skills for 2025. These concepts focus on the future values people require as prerequisites for work, lives, connection with others, and reaction to complexity in a changing world. For this article we merge the various terms used in the literature into the umbrella term of Future-focused Skills (FFSs).

As a core component of the globalization of higher education, international mobility experience is supported in the literature as a mechanism to enhance participants’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions beyond the domains of their degrees (Grieb, 2023; Hartwig, 2017; Jon & Fry, 2021; Jones, 2013; Jones et al., 2023; Singh & Jack, 2018), or the hidden aspects of the curriculum (Elliot et al., 2016; Leask, 2015). Participants’ own stories and governments’ initiatives demonstrate that international mobility schemes benefit institutions, nations, and participants (Altbach & Engberg, 2014; Choudaha, 2017). However, almost no studies investigated the perspectives of early or mid-career professionals as academics of developing FFSs from engaging in mobility schemes for postgraduate degrees in Western contexts.

In Vietnam, international mobility programs, or outward/outbound mobility programs, have become one prominent initiative of internationalisation in higher education since the Open-Door period in 1986 (Nguyen, 2013; Tran & Marginson, 2018). These programs were in response to Vietnam's skills shortage, promote its economic and social development, prepare graduates to work in international and multicultural contexts, and formulate their global citizenship. It was expected that academic staff would provide higher quality education training in terms of addressing Vietnamese future graduates’ expected knowledge, skills, and attitudes (National Assembly of Vietnam, 2019). Since 2000 the Vietnamese government has promoted overseas education for staff with the state budget. Until 2010, 3000 academics and cadres had been engaged in outbound mobility programs in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Europe, Korea, and other countries (Trần et al., 2014).

Built on a PhD research project conducted between 2020 and 2023 by the first author (Vo, 2023), in this article we report on the perspectives of Vietnamese academics who engaged in international mobility experience in over 10 English-speaking countries. The central questions were: To what extent did participating Vietnamese academics believe they developed their future-focused skills (FFSs)? What factors contributed to their FFSs development? Our interpretation of the findings revealed that the participants demonstrated a general understanding of FFSs and ascertained that they could develop FFSs which supported their future work, life, global connection, adaptation to a changing world, and lifelong learning. Our data analysis highlighted both personal and external factors related to the hidden aspects of the curriculum influenced their FFSs development. The results have implications for diverse stakeholders in promoting FFSs development and the richness of lived experiences for mobile academics and postgraduates in a variety of countries. The study, particularly, was designed to position Vietnam as embracing the global trend toward FFSs, rather than to impose a Western framework on Vietnamese current values, or sublimate Vietnamese cultural values.

The Conceptualisation of Future-Focused Skills

One common agenda for global policymakers, governments, and educational leaders is facilitating growth in the knowledge, skills, and dispositions for not only school-aged children, but also for adult learners. The goal is to prepare everyone for success in their future in an increasingly global environment (Schleicher, 2011, 2020). These future-focused values are referred to as Twenty-first Century Skills, Transversal Competencies, Core Skills and Competencies, Skills for 2030, Key Competences for Lifelong Learning, Skills for 2025, or Future skills (Vo, 2023). Despite somewhat different terminology, these concepts share the same consideration of future values as prerequisites for people to work, live, connect with others, and act in uncertain situations in a rapidly changing world (Ehlers, 2020; Germaine et al., 2016; Hipkins et al., 2014; Koul et al., 2021).

The concept of future-focused skills is relatively new in the literature and there is not one consensus knowledge-driven definition. In our study, we merged the identified terms into the umbrella term of FFSs which refers to the knowledge, skills, and dispositions as future prerequisites for people to work, live, connect with others in an uncertain, rapidly changing world. Formal programs in higher education prepare graduates to use the content of their degrees, certificates, and diplomas for their future work and lives in a global context (Schleicher, 2011, 2020). Our study considers FFSs as a formal part of the outcomes of international mobility experience. We chose the following frameworks developed from general agreements among international experts from education sectors, business communities, and policymakers to guide this work (See Table 1).

Table 1.

Frameworks of FFSs Formulated by International Organisations.

Organisations	Equivalent concepts for FFSs
The Partnership for Twenty-first Century Skills	Twenty-first Century Skills
The Assessment and Teaching of Twenty-first Century Skills	Twenty-first Century Skills
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation	Transversal Competencies
Associations of Southeast Asian Nations	Competence (Cognitive, Functional, Personal and Ethical)
World Economic Forum	Twenty-first Century Skills for Lifelong Learning Skills for 2025
British Council	Core Skills and Competencies
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development	Skills for 2030
The Council of the European Union	Key Competences for Lifelong Learning
International Future Skills Delphi Survey	Future Skills

These frameworks highlighted the importance of FFSs for individuals in terms of:

Gaining success in the global workforce (Germaine et al., 2016);

Integrating with the future dynamic world individuals will live in (British Council, 2016);

Achieving “personal fulfilment, a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, active citizenship and social inclusion” (European Commission, 2019, p. 4);

Dealing with diverse people and ideas and solving complex world problems (Hipkins et al., 2014);

Promoting lifelong learning (Association of Southeast Asian Nations, 2018; European Commission, 2019);

Successfully acting with complex problems in uncertain and unfamiliar contexts (Ehlers, 2020), and

Becoming more flexible, adaptable, and agile with uncertainty and rapid change (Koul et al., 2021)

Despite the common goals that these frameworks share, there are unique aspects of each. There is diversity in contexts, perspectives, incentives, and stages of educational reforms that can influence the process of implementation of these Transversal Competencies (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2015). For example, there is a scarcity of empirical studies in Southeast Asia related to the readiness for and acceptance of these frameworks for FFSs. Therefore, the findings of our study are important for understanding the alignment of the components in these frameworks with the outcomes of international mobility experience for non-Western academic participants’ past, present, and future.

International Student Experience: Outcomes and Influential Factors

Review of literature revealed the alignment of the outcomes of international mobility experience with the components in the identified frameworks of FFSs as follows:

Personal Growth

Scholars revealed that international mobility experience promoted participants’ self-awareness, self-efficacy, self-reflections, and sense of identity (Collins et al., 2017; Elliot et al., 2016; Grieb, 2023; Jenny et al., 2017; Moskal & Schweisfurth, 2018; Petersdotter et al., 2017; Raby et al., 2021; Singh & Jack, 2018) and enhanced their learning independence and recognition of personal strength in encountering challenges (Okken et al., 2019). Mobility experiences allowed students to open their minds to learn new ideas and ways to address problems (Hartwig, 2017; Jing, 2018; Jones, 2013; Leask, 2015; Zhang et al., 2022), and to promote their personal adjustments to new things (Gebhard, 2012; Jon & Fry, 2021; Zimmermann et al., 2021).

Development of Professional Knowledge and Skills is another outcome for international students. They could gain academic success with qualifications, professional skills of research and presentation, and construct research knowledge and skills (Singh & Jack, 2018). International mobility experience also enhanced students’ knowledge of new subjects and languages (Blum & Bourn, 2019), increased their professional knowledge, and skills for job opportunities (Collins et al., 2017; Jones et al., 2023).

Career Preparation and Promotion

Scholars found that graduates of international mobility programs gained positive outcomes for their career prospects. The value of an alumni network could contribute to graduates’ employment opportunities and established long-term connections between their home and host countries (Collins et al., 2017). International participants of PhD programs could gain opportunities of working at leading research universities (Kuzhabekova et al., 2019). This connected PhD candidates to “a ladder to an academic career, a ticket to an academic position” (Elliot et al., 2016, p. 734).

International Understanding Enhancement

Authors from several studies revealed the relationships between study abroad experiences and a greater understanding of diverse cultures and sense of international issues, promoting graduates’ global competence (Blum & Bourn, 2019; d’Hombres & Schnepf, 2021; Jones, 2013; Tran et al., 2020). International experiences could empower graduates to think in a strategic way when they interacted with people of diverse cultures (Moskal & Schweisfurth, 2018; Jones et al., 2023). International postgraduate students could gain better sensitivity and learning of the host culture in terms of different beliefs, norms, and values (Jones et al., 2023; Singh & Jack, 2018).

Global Integration

Scholars revealed significant connections between international mobility experience and opportunities for individuals’ global engagement and their nations’ global exchanges (De La Torre et al., 2022; Jon & Fry, 2021; Jones, 2013; Pearson et al., 2022; Roffee & Burns, 2020; Roy et al., 2019; Tran et al., 2020). This included building and expanding graduates’ international networks (Collins et al., 2017), global social and professional networks (Moskal & Schweisfurth, 2018) and improving interactions with local nationals (Singh & Jack, 2018).

Our summaries of current literature indicated the following factors could influence participants’ international mobility experiences:

Language was discussed to influence how international students engaged in their study and other activities in the host communities (Wu et al., 2015). It also posed certain challenges for their experience in another country (Alsulami, 2018; Gautam et al., 2016; Grieb, 2023; Roy et al., 2019).

Personal Adjustment is another reality that international students experience. This refers to students’ emotional management (Alsulami, 2018; Gautam et al., 2016), behavior changes (Wu et al., 2015), acceptance of behaving as other people do (Gautam et al., 2016), and identity transformation (Grieb, 2023).

Personal Support was referred to as financial issues that international students faced in host countries (Jenny et al., 2017), academic support (Wu et al., 2015), and mentor support to enhance their sense of belonging (Zhang et al., 2022).

Cultural Differences was related to mobility students’ adaptation to new cultures or their encounters with culture shock (Alsulami, 2018). International students could experience new lifestyles, racism, discrimination, and stereotyping from diverse people in host countries (Brown & Jones, 2013; Gautam et al., 2016; Gebhard, 2012; Jones et al., 2023; Roy et al., 2019; Tran et al., 2020; Wu et al., 2015; Zhang et al., 2022).

Unexpected Situations

The authors in two major studies found political issues had significant impacts on the global flow of international students (Bista et al., 2018; Fidler et al., 2022). These included nationalistic movements such as Brexit in the United Kingdom in 2016 or political shifts together with the travel bans against several countries from President Donald Trump's rule of law in 2017. Geopolitical tensions among countries were discussed as another impact on international students. These included the pandemic or nationalism (Goris, 2022; Tran & Bui, 2021). Discrimination and racism were discussed as significant threats to international students (Jones, 2017; Lee, 2020; Tran, 2017). Recent studies highlighted the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on international students’ social contacts (Mbous et al., 2022).

Family was noted to influence international students as they faced with the absence their families’ support. They could lack emotional support from their families (Chennamsetti, 2020), particularly those influenced by Asian collectivist culture considered their families as a vital support (Ma et al., 2020). Work and family commitments were another concern for international students (Curtis & Ledgerwood, 2018) although family could be a motivator for adult learners to engage in further study (Kwong et al., 1997; Shallenberger, 2009).

Characteristics of Adult Learners

There is a paucity of empirical studies of adult learners who engage in international mobility programs while in the early part of their careers. The research on adult learning more broadly reveals that the personal needs of this more mature group of professionals are different from younger learners or children. These included professionals’ prior experiences, home living situations, connection of learning to future aspirations, and personal motivation (Kwong et al., 1997; Russell, 2006; Shallenberger, 2009).

Theoretical Framework

We grounded this study on the two theories, Dewey's theory of experience (Dewey, 1963) and Bandura's social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1999) to examine the value of experiences acquired from international environments (i.e., international mobility experience) in constructing how Vietnamese academics think, leading to how they act in terms of their FFSs formation. Dewey analysed the theory of experience grounded in the two principles of continuity and interaction (Dewey, 1963). He referred to continuity as the influences of past and present experiences on future ones and interaction as the influences of present situations or transactions on one's experiences. Dewey combined these two principles to clarify that one's past experiences, situations, and current interactions will result in one's current knowledge formation and influence future reformation, performance, and behaviors based on current knowledge. As the connection between education and experience is without question, it is timely to investigate further experiential education approaches, one of which includes study abroad programs (Jing, 2018; Perry et al., 2012). Studying abroad gives students a unique life experience which “exposes students to new problems and experiences that force them to apply their knowledge to real-world applications” and thus “study abroad experience will shape students’ perspectives toward the world and influence their personal growth” (Jing, 2018, p. 101).

Bandura (1999) analysed human development based on social cognitive theory which is founded by a model of causation involving triadic reciprocal determinism. This model described “interpersonal factors in the form of cognitive, affective and biological events; behavioral patterns, and environmental events all operate as interacting determinants that influence one another bidirectionally” (Bandura, 1999, p. 156). Taking the view of Bandura's social cognitive theory into account, several studies of overseas study experiences fragmentarily have unveiled reciprocal interactions among determinants (Petersdotter et al., 2017; Redwine et al., 2018). Redwine et al. (2018) highlighted certain changes in participants’ behaviour and personal factors were attributed to their participation in a study abroad. Bandura's model supports Dewey's principle of interaction and continuity in terms of identifying the integrated relationships of personal experiences and surrounding environments.

The Study

In this article, we aim to report the perspectives of Vietnamese academics who engaged in international mobility experience regarding their beliefs, engagement, and influential factors contributing to their FFSs development. To achieve this, we employed a mixed methods approach with explanatory sequential design as this design provided insights into participants’ perspectives more effectively than would either method on its own (Cohen et al., 2018; Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018). With the survey findings we aimed to gain the extent to which the participants recognized and acknowledged FFSs development from their international mobility experience. A sample of participants were purposively selected for in-depth semi-structured interviews based on their survey responses.

We recruited the survey participants using a networking approach to identify the population with the following characteristics: (1) working as an academic in the Vietnamese higher education sector; (2) seeking a post graduate degree; and (3) studying in a Western country. We received a total of 150 online survey responses of which 132 survey participants met the criteria above. We used a purposeful sampling technique to recruit the 20 interview participants. The selection was based on the percentages of the eligible survey respondents in order of priority: host countries, gender, academic disciplines, Vietnamese institutions, and qualifications. The participants’ demographic information is presented in Table 2.

Table 2.

Survey and Interview Participants’ Demographic Information.

Criteria		Survey respondents n (%)	Interviewees n
Destination countries of study	Australia	58 (44.0)	09
	Australia + another country (EU/US/NZ)	12 (9.1)	09
	EU countries	31 (23.5)	06
	United States	10 (7.5)	02
	United States + UK/EU United Kingdom	3 (2.25)	02
	Canada	1 (0.75)	01
	Canada-US	1 (0.75)	01
	New Zealand	5 (3.8)	01
	New Zealand + another country (US, UK-EU)	2 (1.5)	01
	United Kingdom	7 (5.3)	01
	United Kingdom- EU country	2 (1.5)	01
Gender	Male	54 (41.0)	08
Gender	Female	78 (59.0)	12
Disciplines	Education	48 (36.0)	05
	Engineering (IT-Environment-Geology-Agriculture-Food Industry)	24 (18.0)	03
	Business- Economics-Accounting-Marketing	21 (16.0)	03
	Linguistics	10 (7.5)	02
	Medical-Health-Pharmacy	8 (6.1)	01
	Sociology-Psychology	7 (5.3)	02
	International Relation	5 (3.8)	01
	Law	4 (3.0)	01
	Others	5 (3.8)	02
Locations of affiliations	In the South of Vietnam	94 (71.2)	12
	In the North of Vietnam	26 (19.7)	05
	In the Central of Vietnam	12 (9.1)	03
Qualifications	Doctoral degree	62 (46.9)	08
	Master's degree by research	63 (47.7)	11
	Bachelor's degree-Master in progress	7 (5.3)	01
Total		132 (100.0)	20

We developed the survey instrument in SurveyMonkey as a confidential tool to gather pertinent information and conducted interviews via Zoom due to the COVID-19 restrictions at the time of the research. The survey took approximately 20 min, and each interview took between 45–60 min. The questions for the survey and interviews were developed to target the research questions in relation to the literature review to examine the participants’ perceptions of to what extent international mobility experiences were able to promote their FFSs development.

To analyse the data, we exported the survey results from SurveyMonkey to Microsoft Excel and the raw data were coded and transferred to SPSS for data analysis. We used thematic analysis approach to analyse the qualitative data as it provides a rich and detailed, yet complex, account of the data (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The qualitative data were inductively coded, which allowed codes and themes to emerge and develop from the data. We used both manual coding and NVivo software to analyse the qualitative data. Initial manual coding gives researchers a sense of control and ownership of their work and a basic understanding of the fundamentals of qualitative data analysis (Saldaña, 2016). NVivo software is well-known for “rapid coding, thorough exploration, and rigorous management and analysis” (Creswell, 2012, p. 243). After extracting the survey responses to open-questions and transcribing the interviews, we manually analysed the responses to establish an overview of major themes and sub-themes. Then we transferred both sources of data to NVivo (version 12 Pro) to code for further analysis. In NVivo, we utilized nodes to code every single line and apply sentence-level coding to understand the data. Then we searched themes from these codes by organizing codes into categories which fit a theme so that similar codes could be put together to form broad themes and sub-themes. We also sought patterns for coded data to put them in categories by grouping, not only similar things together, but also things whose commonality consisted of differences (Saldaña, 2016). While using inductive thematic analysis, we used the literature on international mobility experience and FFSs, key aspects in Dewey's theory of experience and Bandura's social cognitive theory, and research questions as guidance to identify codes for themes.

Findings and Discussion

Academics’ Beliefs Related to Future-Focused Skills

Vietnamese academic participants demonstrated a broad understanding of FFSs in these aspects:

Most participants (n = 86, 65.2%) were unaware of the specific term ‘future-focused skills’, but they referred to FFSs using a variety of terms that resonate with the existing concepts, such as Twenty-first Century Skills, Transversal Competencies, Core Skills and Competencies, or Future Skills. The perceived FFSs are in alignment with the existing concepts as an umbrella term which is not limited simply to skills but covers different aspects of personal growth. One participant commented:

Future-focused skills might be defined as a set of knowledge and skills that higher education prepares today's adult learners with to cope with unprecedented situations across their life trajectories. (P125)

The participants perceived the importance of FFSs in three ways which are consistent with the identified frameworks of FFSs. Firstly, they believed that FFSs are necessary for people's future work, life, and global connection. This is aligned with the values of Twenty-first Century Skills, Transversal Competencies, and Core Skills and Competencies. Second, they believed FFSs play an important role in helping learners adapt to a changing world. These changes include new environments, technological development, the impacts of COVID-19, or uncertain situations. This aspect is consistent with the implications of Key Competencies, Transversal Competencies, ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework, and Future Skills. Third, they believed that FFSs are required for people's lifelong learning, which is in line with Key Competences for Lifelong Learning and ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework.

Academics’ Engagement with Future-Focused Skills Development

Participants ascertained that they could develop FFSs from their international mobility participation. The survey data demonstrated a high level of these participants’ agreement that they had acquired FFSs from their mobility experiences (n = 129, 97.7%). One reported:

If I did not go to study abroad, I would not have paid much attention to future-focused skills or cared much about preparing future-focused skills. However, after studying in Australia, I thought about it, and after experiencing four years in New Zealand, I have found it important that I can plan everything and be ready for everything. (P021)

The participants referred FFSs to a set of skills which shares the characteristics of some concepts identified in the literature. The skills summarized in Table 3 and Table 4, were the top FFSs that participants believed to be important, and they could acquire from their international mobility experience.

Table 3.

Vietnamese Academics’ Recognition of FFSs Importance.

		Total (n = 132)
Skills	Mean	Std. Deviation
Flexibility and adaptability	3.67	.559
Problem-solving	3.67	.575
Critical thinking	3.59	.605
Teamwork/ cooperation	3.55	.529
Communication competence	3.42	.700
Social & cross-cultural awareness	3.24	.830
Social & cross-cultural competence	3.20	.776

0 to 4 scale (0 = don’t know/ no opinions; 1 = Extremely unimportant; 2 = Unimportant; 3 = Important, 4 = Extremely important).

Table 4.

Frequency of Responses: FFSs Acquired by Vietnamese Academics from Staying Abroad.

	Total (n = 20)
Skills	Aggregate number of coding references
Cross-cultural communication	8
Communication	6
Adaptability	9
Research skills	5
Critical thinking	5
Networking	3
Flexibility	3
Open-mindedness	4
Problem solving	4
Teamwork	1
Relationships management	1
Language	1

Flexibility and Adaptability

Surveyed participants indicated their awareness of these skills’ importance to global future-ready citizens with the highest mean score (M = 3.67). The analysis showed that the interview participants gained adaptability (n = 9) and flexibility (n = 3) through their willingness to change to fit in new environments of studying, living, and working in host countries and accepting differences and unexpected situations. One reported:

When I stay in the United Kingdom, I can adapt to different cultures…when I move to the South of England, people are more polite. I think they are not as friendly as the Scots people, so I need to accept it. (P086)

Communication

Surveyed participants showed their high awareness (M = 3.42) of its importance. The analysis showed that the interview participants gained this skill (n = 6) from their opportunities of exchanging information with different people in their academic contexts but also those of their living communities during their mobility participation. As P083 said, “I found myself more proactive - trying to communicate and reaching out to others”.

Open-Mindedness

The interview participants perceived that they gained their open-mindedness (n = 4) from their positive changes whereby they were open to learn new things, acquire new knowledge, understand others, accept, and respect differences, express positive judgements, and overcome stereotypes and prejudices.

Living abroad has shaped how I am today as I am more open to people and things around, less judgemental and less talk about people behind their backs, less talk about small things. Instead, I focus more on my work and build up my values. (P008)

I am open to original and weird ideas as long as it does not hurt me and makes other people happy. I am much less judgemental. I do not criticise others. I try to refrain a lot from criticism. (P048)

Foreign Language Proficiency

Most interviewed participants shared their experiences in improving their skills of writing, reading, speaking and presentation in English language from their study activities, and their English-speaking skill from their daily communication.

When I finished study abroad, my language ability had improved and my communication with foreigners was better. Mastering language helps me be more confident in my work and study. (P083)

Relationship Development and Networking

The interview participants reported that they established connections with international students, teachers, supervisors, and other researchers and international experts in academic networks. They reported that “I can expand my academic network in the future when I get back to Vietnam.” (P005), or “I can exchange and work with more international and Vietnamese colleagues.” (P148). Some participants revealed their relationships development with diverse people through engaging in social activities:

I have a connection through social networks. I find it easy, and everyone helps each other. (P028)

I felt so lonely when I went to live in another country, so I needed to enlarge my network. I started talking to Vietnamese friends, making friends with people in Belgium and Vietnamese people. (P008)

Cross-Cultural Communication

Surveyed participants showed their awareness of social and cross-cultural awareness and competence for global future-ready citizens with high mean scale scores (M = 3.20 and M = 3.24). The interview participants perceived cross-cultural communication (n = 8) as an important skill necessary for them to perform as global citizens. They gained this skill from having exposure to culturally diverse people in host countries. The environment in host countries required them to understand differences among cultures to communicate effectively with those people.

Living in a country and meeting people is the best way to develop cross communication skills. I had a chance to meet different people from different backgrounds, and I gradually adapted to the living environment, and I know how to talk to them…I believe that we don’t have opportunities to develop this skill if we only live in our own country. (P008)

Advanced Research Skills

Our analysis demonstrated the participants’ improvement in advanced research skills. They improved this skill (n = 5) in searching information, analysing information, presenting arguments, applying research approaches, using technological tools for data analysis, and writing papers for publication. P017 said: “I know how to have a study which meets international scientific standards.” while P065 highlighted: “If I had not studied abroad, I might not think to apply for institutional and national grants or bigger grants.”

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Most surveyed participants recognised the importance of these skills for global future-ready citizens, accounting for high score means (M = 3.59 and M = 3.67). The interview participants explained they could improve critical thinking (n = 5) and problem solving (n = 4) from different situations in academic and non-academic contexts that required their ability to use knowledge, analyse situations, and solve difficulties.

I learned a lot of Western knowledge and I also have a critical mind, so I don't passively absorb it. When I put it in the context of Vietnam, I explain why it is like that and why I thought like that. It helps me reflect, re-evaluate what I did and thought in the past, or why I did that way. (P015)

Dealing with situations often helped me improve skills of defending myself in work and daily life, or quickly finding solutions. (P084)

Teamwork/ Cooperation

The survey data support this with a high-rate mean score (M = 3.55) which indicated the participants’ awareness of the importance of teamwork/cooperation for global future-ready citizens. The interview participants detailed the ways they had improved these skills working with diverse people in a team.

I am more confident in teamwork where I raise my hand and share my opinions. I have to agree, disagree, or defend my points of view in a very diverse team. (P048)

I have good connections with the Vietnamese student union there. I was the vice-president of that union. (P004)

Our data analysis showed that these identified FFSs appeared in the existing frameworks, such as Twenty-first Century Skills, Skills for 2025, Transversal Competencies, Core Skills and Competencies, Key Competences for Lifelong Learning. The findings indicated a consistency between the participants’ awareness of the concept of FFSs and their beliefs about FFSs acquired from their international mobility experience. The findings overlapped the literature of international mobility students’ outcomes in terms of being open to new experiences for personal growth (Collins et al., 2017; Grieb, 2023; Hartwig, 2017; Elliot et al., 2016; Raby et al., 2021), professional development (Leask, 2015; Okken & Coelen, 2021; Pearson et al., 2022; Jones et al., 2023), cultural understanding (Jones et al., 2023; Moskal & Schweisfurth, 2018; Singh & Jack, 2018), or global engagement (Leask, 2015; Jing, 2018; Jon & Fry, 2021; Jones, 2013). Our data analysis highlighted non-academic opportunities or personal experiences beyond formal learning experiences considered as aspects in the hidden curriculum (Elliot et al., 2016; Leask, 2015) simultaneously enabled the participants’ FFSs development. The findings emphasized the important role of stakeholders in equipping learners’ future-ready values (British Council, 2016; Ehlers, 2020; European Commission, 2019; Germaine et al., 2016). The findings particularly contribute to understanding how FFSs are important and how academics as early or mid-career professionals from a non-Western background were able to enhance these skills from various opportunities through their engagement in international mobility programs in Western countries.

Influential Factors Contributing to Future-Focused Skills Development

Our data analysis revealed that participants’ FFSs development arose from two aspects: (1) Personal factors, and (2) External factors.

Personal Factors

New Ways of Thinking

Our analysis revealed that the participants learned to adjust to thinking in an open-minded way. This referred to their willingness of learning new things and knowledge, accepting and respecting differences, overcoming stereotypes, or expressing positive criticism, which enhanced their confidence and communication. The findings align with the ‘respect for diversity’ of the global citizenship component in Transversal Competencies. The participants revealed their acceptance of changes to live and work in new environments with diverse people. This activated their adaptability and flexibility, raising their awareness of the importance of FFSs. The findings disclosed Bandura's view of the interaction of participants’ thoughts and their formation of behaviour. The findings aligned with the literature related to self-confidence, self-understanding, and identity (Swain & Hammond, 2011; Grieb, 2023). We also found convergence with the literature showing the influence of the hidden curriculum in building students’ sense of belonging in new environments (Elliot et al., 2016; Jones et al., 2023; Zhang et al., 2022).

Behavioural Adaptation and Changes

The survey data recorded a high rate of responses to interacting with people of diverse cultures in another country (91.6%) and participating in cultural and social activities while away (80.3%). The interview participants adjusted their behaviours to adapt to different situations of new cultures and to interact with diverse people. They became active in relationship development and networking with new people who were their teachers and peers within the school contexts or those from social activities in their local communities. This enabled their improvement in communication, cross-cultural communication, and cooperation with people of different cultural backgrounds. The findings are consistent with connecting study abroad programs to personality changes for global engagement (Gebhard, 2012; Grieb, 2023; Jon & Fry, 2021; Jones et al., 2023; Zimmermann et al., 2021).

Positive Personal Attitude was revealed as another factor supporting the participants’ adjustments to their thinking and behaviours to enhance their FFSs. This theme refers to their ways of responding positively to challenges. They identified their self-determination as one aspect which referred to their decision-making on their own in challenges with their study, work, and lives. While the findings showed the participants’ self-motivation, perseverance, and self-efficacy which boosted them to overcome challenges, their self-regulation was reported to enable their emotional control and work-life balance. They enhanced their academic skills such as research skills, problem solving, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. They also developed cross-cultural communication, networking, or cultural competence from opportunities out of their school contexts. This supports Bandura's (1999) view of the interaction between personal factors and behavioural factors. The findings may also support the interpretations of self-directed and highly motivated adult learners (Russell, 2006).

Prior Accumulated Skills and Knowledge

Our analysis of the findings referred this to the participants’ understanding of living and studying and their experiences of mobility and working in another country, which facilitated their adaptation to new life and study abroad. The findings support implications of international experiences for personality development (Grieb, 2023; Zimmermann et al., 2021). This clarifies Dewey's theory regarding the value of experience based on connecting past experiences with present experiences for a person's knowledge and behaviour formation. This aligns with the views of adult learners whose life experiences are typically richer than younger adults because of their background experiences and prior learning (Caffarella & Barnett, 1994; Shallenberger, 2009). This provides another new insight of academics who engaged in postgraduate programs that few studies to this point have revealed.

External Factors

The Learning Environment

The analysis of the survey data demonstrated that the participants responded to the supports related to academic aspects with high response rates. They reported to have developed FFSs from academic activities and opportunities (n = 123, 93.2%), peers (n = 99, 75%), and academic tutors or HDR supervisors (n = 95, 71.9%). The interview participants reported that the process of working on required assignments and research projects improved their academic skills such as English language, critical thinking, analysis, and problem solving. They also reported that experiences promoted their development of skills such as networking, cooperation, teamwork, and communication. Some participants reported that their learning environment improved their previously accumulated professional knowledge and skills. This explains how (prior) personal experiences interact with environmental factors (Bandura, 1999; Dewey, 1963). The findings resonate with the discussion of supporting international students in their host universities (Gebhard, 2012; Leask, 2015; Zhang et al., 2022) as one strategy to help them take full advantage of global opportunities.

The Living Environment

Surveyed participants agreed there were many possible ways that could enhance their FFSs development. These included situations they were required to deal with, such as work situations, situations related to bias, prejudice or racism, situations related to visas or governmental documents, partners’ work, or children's study. The interview participants reported that living in an environment that required them to exchange information with other people in English language promoted their speaking and communication. Dealing with daily life challenges was also reported to have enhanced their critical thinking and problem solving. They also reported the experiences taught them skills of foreign languages, cross-cultural communication, argumentation, and thinking in English language. This clarifies how any changes of environment conditions enable people's behaviour adaptation (Bandura, 1999), and the value of experience because of the interactions between personal experiences and surrounding environments (Dewey, 1963). This supports international mobility as a great experience for language and cultural competence (Blum & Bourn, 2019; d’Hombres & Schnepf, 2021; Jones, 2013; Jones et al., 2023; Tran et al., 2020).

Family-Related Aspects

Nearly one-third of the surveyed participants (n = 43, 32.5%) agreed with building future-focused skills from having partners/children in work/school. The interview participants reported that participating in their children's school activities promoted their cultural understandings of different education views. P135 reported that he learned how young learners could enhance critical thinking from classroom activities. P048 shared that she gained a better understating of their own children's growth in Western primary schools. By participating in her own children's activities, P048 also learned and improved her self-esteem and respect for other people's views in a diverse society. This provides a new aspect for the current literature of the impacts of family on enriching participants of international mobility programs.

Our analysis of the research findings revealed the combination of Dewey's principles of interaction and continuity and Bandura's model of triadic reciprocal determinism as the frame to underscore how international mobility experience influenced the participants’ FFSs development. These also disclosed the implications of hidden curriculum aspects on building their FFSs. A summary of the interaction of these components is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

The interplay between personal and external factors for FFSs development.

Our work in this study demonstrated that international mobility programs provided participants and their dependents with life changing experiences, some anticipated and some more part of the “hidden curriculum”. Vietnamese academics studying in English speaking countries, often had not stopped to realize the benefits of the experiences outside the degree they were each earning, and some had not heard of prior the notion of future-focused skills. However, they each in their own way described the immersive nature of life and how their minds broadened to honour diversity, accept uncertainty, appreciate cultural differences, and more. Western culture often creates a harsh cultural side for people from non-western countries. However, the participants in this study showed their resilience and strategies not to be vulnerable to racism, bias, and prejudice that might be brought upon them as individuals or the family members who also relocated with them for these experiences.

There was a strong overlap of our findings to the literature on international mobility experience and our conceptual framework touting FFSs development as important for personal success in a global world. The results of this study can assist those who lead and promote outbound mobility ventures to enhance the ways colleagues are prepared and undertake these life-changing opportunities. The benefits of shaping future-focused skills could be made more prominent in promoting future collaborations with a broader mission related to personal development.

Our results have implications for diverse stakeholders who play equal roles in promoting not only FFSs development but also the richness of lived experiences for international mobility students. Universities who sponsor mobility programs can take on board the research presented in this article and alter their approaches to recruitment, orientation, support, and mentoring of the mobility students so that the experience can be enhanced right from the start. Outside of the bubble of university campus life, there are working class communities struggling with issues that can unwittingly negatively impact foreigners (international students) who enter those communities as places to live. These matters should be addressed with public officials and community leaders and not be left ignored. Supervisors, mentors, and staff should have an awareness of the “whole-life” experience of international mobility participants, and recognize the importance of cultural awareness and uniqueness in varied situations. Many non-English first speaking international students are already working as academics in universities in their home countries. Many involved in mobility programs are already teaching the same subjects in their home countries as are taught in the university where they are studying. However, these same individuals are not often considered as candidates to assist as tutors or lecturers part-time in their host universities. Many are forced to take part-time jobs outside the university in minimum-wage service-level roles to help with family financial needs. This is a wasted opportunity.

Conclusion

In an uncertain post-COVID world, there are generally two responses people with the opportunity to study abroad can take. One is to stay home and avoid the uncertainties of the volatile geopolitical climate. The other is to “go for it”.Our work demonstrates that those adult learners who do “go for it” receive many benefits from the experience, including an international degree. They also position themselves to be relevant in a changing professional landscape because of the growth of their future-focused skills.

The future is always changing and unpredictable. I would never say international mobility experience can equip me enough, but I believe at least it gives me confidence to keep improving myself in the future. (P083)

Footnotes

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research,authorship,and/or publication of this article.

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research,authorship,and/or publication of this article.

ORCID iD

Phuong Quyen Vo

Author Biographies

Phuong Quyen Vo is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Newcastle,Australia. She received a PhD funded by the Vice-Chancellor's HDR scholarship from the University of Newcastle in Australia. She obtained her Master degree in New Zealand and is a 19-year experienced Vietnamese academic.

John Fischetti is Professor of Leadership and School Transformation at the University of Newcastle,Australia. His 40-year career in education includes transforming on initial teacher education,school and university leadership and innovating in equity-based research into pedagogies of empowerment. He was most recently Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Education.

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Building Future-focused Skills from International Mobility Experience: Perspectives of Vietnamese Academics

Abstract

Keywords

Introduction

The Conceptualisation of Future-Focused Skills

International Student Experience: Outcomes and Influential Factors

Personal Growth

Career Preparation and Promotion

International Understanding Enhancement

Global Integration

Unexpected Situations

Characteristics of Adult Learners

Theoretical Framework

The Study

Findings and Discussion

Academics’ Beliefs Related to Future-Focused Skills

Academics’ Engagement with Future-Focused Skills Development

Flexibility and Adaptability

Communication

Open-Mindedness

Foreign Language Proficiency

Relationship Development and Networking

Cross-Cultural Communication

Advanced Research Skills

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Teamwork/ Cooperation

Influential Factors Contributing to Future-Focused Skills Development

Personal Factors

New Ways of Thinking

Behavioural Adaptation and Changes

Prior Accumulated Skills and Knowledge

External Factors

The Learning Environment

The Living Environment

Family-Related Aspects

Conclusion

Footnotes

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

Funding

ORCID iD

Author Biographies

References