The impact of socio-demographic variables on the study experience of second year Hospitality Management students at selected South African Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Students transitioning from high school to university believe that they can separate and distinguish themselves from their parents and realise their individual potential, find themselves, develop their voices, follow their passions and influence the world. However, there are many challenges students face once they enter the Higher Education system. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the sociodemographic variables that impact on the overall study experience of second year Hospitality Management students at selected Higher Education institutions in South Africa. In order to identify the socio-demographic variables that could influence on the study experience of students, 228 participants from five selected universities completed a questionnaire. To determine the variables that impacted on the study experience, cross tabulations between categorical variables were tested for significance using Chi-square tests at the 5% level of significance. Results revealed statistically significant socio-demographic relationships for the reasons participants worked part-time (<0.05) and the level of satisfaction participants experienced with their current living arrangements (<0.009). Higher Education Institutions are therefore increasingly challenged with ways to prepare students for success at university by assisting them to become part of the educated population, by providing support to improve the determination of students to successfully complete their learning programme.