This study sought to analyze the perceptions of Venezuelan graduate students concerning goals, objectives, and problems while studying at U.S. universities under the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho program. It also examined whether these students were satisfied with their educational experiences at U.S. universities, and whether they perceived the U.S. education as relevant to their professional future in Venezuela and related to Fundayacucho purposes. The population consisted of 620 Fundayacucho graduate students enrolled at U.S. universities in 1985. The data were collected through a survey instrument entitled, "Venezuelan Graduate Students Goals/Objectives/Problems Inventory"--1985, developed in relation to Fundayacucho purposes. Items relevant to this study included a modified version of Okwudishu's 1983 Nigerian Students Goals/Objectives/Problems Inventory (NSGOPI) and Porter's 1977 Michigan International Student Problem inventory (MISPI). The instrument was divided into three parts: (1) Demographic data; (2) Goals/Objectives Inventory; and (3) Problem Inventory, which included four open-ended questions. / The main findings of the study were as follows: the respondents indicated their most important goals as: personal, to receive a rounded specialized education; national, to be prepared to serve the home country; and academic, to obtain a degree of Ph.D. or M.S. They accorded the greatest important for the professional objectives category. Major problems were related to the financial area, followed by academic, orientation, and English proficiency areas. A majority of the respondents perceived their U.S. education as very relevant to Venezuela's needs and problems. Despite their dissatisfaction with some factors, such as the competitive grading system, little social interaction with U.S. students, and irrelevant courses as requirements, they were generally satisfied with the U.S. higher educational system. The study revealed that the students' U.S. education related significantly to their work in Venezuela and to Fundayacucho's purposes. Students' goals, objectives, and problems were consistent with Fundayacucho goals to prepare human resources for national development and to promote the transference of technologies to Venezuela. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-01, Section: A, page: 0096. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1986.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75716 |
| Contributors | COLMENAREZ, JOSE V., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 217 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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