Exploring Factors Influencing Student Study Abroad Destination Choice

Abstract

This study applies qualitative analysis as a systematic tool for insight into factors influencing international students' university choice. We also develop a structural model for further analysis and understanding of that choice. Qualitative analysis of data collected via online chat identifies motivational and constraining factors that influence foreign students' decision to study in the United States. The study applies and explicates a contemporary qualitative approach to the analysis of interview transcripts for the determination of choice factors and their importance. Inductive analysis is used to postulate a model for international student destination choice based on the travel decision push and pull model. Three push factors (personal growth, language, and career) and three pull factors (college issues, physical geography, and U.S. culture) were determined to influence choice of country and institution. In addition, structural factors including visa issues and cost issues were identified as constraints. Personal growth was the most important push factor, and college issues the most important of the pull factors. Visa issues were the most important constraining structural factors.