Where should I study?: international students’ perceptions of higher education in the UK, Ireland, and the U.S.

Abstract

In the thesis I examine international student decision-making arguing that there is a gap in knowledge about the theoretical frameworks which have been applied to understanding this issue. A comprehensive review of the literature showed that thus far the foremost theory utilised for explaining international student decision-making is the Push-Pull Theory of Migration, a theory which is primarily quantitative. This research innovatively uses a theoretical framework combining three influential capital theories based on a qualitative methodology. Using this theoretical framework, I sought a deeper, and potentially new and different understanding of why international students choose to study abroad and why they select particular host countries -the two questions traditional Push-Pull Theory seeks to answer.The three capital theories used are Human, Cultural and Social Capital. Using these to understand the decision-making of international students begins with the premise that individuals invest in international education in the hope of achieving some aim or reaping some benefit. As these theories originate from two different disciplines, I argue that such an approach provides a more multifaceted perspective for understanding students' decision-making. Each of these theories, including their strengths and weaknesses, is discussed in detail in the thesis.The context for the study is provided through an examination of the impact of globalisation and neo-liberalism on the political, economic, socio-cultural, and technological trends of recent decades. It also considers the growing internationalisation and marketisation of higher education, including a greater emphasis on and expansion of international student recruitment and mobility.The research notes that individuals are increasingly responsible for their own success in the global knowledge economy. International education is one way in which students can make themselves competitive in the labour market as well as obtain valuable sociocultural benefits. The research emphasises that higher education is becoming a privately rather than publicly-funded activity in which individual students (and often their families)

The influence of perceived discrimination, orientation to mainstream culture and life satisfaction on destination loyalty intentions: the case of international students

“…In more recent years, the Push-Pull Theory has also been used as an explanatory model for international student mobility because of its migratory nature, and pushpull factors as variables that influence students to pursue study abroad and select certain study destinations (Rounsaville, 2014). instruments were chosen because of their comprehensive attempt to expand the push-pull model.…”

“…instruments were chosen because of their comprehensive attempt to expand the push-pull model. Each host institution also has its own set of "pull" factors which make it attractive to students, and make it more or less attractive than its competitors (Rounsaville, 2014). The literature review has shown that Mazzarol's studies are valuable to the study of the Push-Pull Theory and international student mobility.…”

“…The literature review has shown that Mazzarol's studies are valuable to the study of the Push-Pull Theory and international student mobility. Their studies have been used as the main references for most of the other studies (Rounsaville, 2014). influential study was discussed at length in Yang's (2007) literature review and used as a point of comparative analysis for the presentation of her data.…”

Re-Examining the Value of UK University Business Studies Courses for Post- Graduation Nepalese Graduates

“…Influenced by Bodycott (2009) and Rounsaville (2011), this research claims that cultural factors added, yet significant unexplored factors in determining how successful returning Nepalese graduates would be in securing employment. The results from Rounsaville (2011) had equally shown that the use of new models in analysing data could give insights into the educational decision making of international students.…”

“…Importantly their international higher education study concluded there was a requirement for researchers to pay greater attention to cultural values when looking to recruit students. Rounsaville (2011) focused on why students selected particular countries for their higher education by extending the "push-pull" models to using Human, Cultural and Social Capital. This work sought to understand the decision-making of international students using the premise that individuals invest in international education in the hope of achieving some aim or reaping some benefit.…”