Proceedings of the 7th World Conference on Research in Education
Year: 2024
DOI:
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European Student Motivations to Study in Thailand: An analysis of push-pull factors of mobility
Douglas Rhein
ABSTRACT:
As the global transnational education landscape continues to evolve, Asian universities are observing a notable increase in the arrival of short-term visiting and exchange students originating from various European nations. This article presents a concise synthesis of research dedicated to exploring the underlying motivations of European international students pursuing education in Thailand. The primary objective of this research endeavor is to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted factors that shape the decision-making process for individuals embarking on international study experiences. Between 2022 and 2024, this investigation employed a comprehensive research approach encompassing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including in-depth interviews and the distribution of paper-based surveys to gather primary data. The overarching aim of this study is to make substantive contributions to the improvement of higher education service provision, the tailored development of marketing materials targeting specific nations, and to offer valuable insights to policymakers, assisting them in devising appropriate strategies to foster the sustained growth of this educational trend within the Asian educational landscape. It is important to acknowledge that while our data collection spanned multiple years, the generalizability of our findings may be subject to limitations, given that this research was conducted within a single higher education institution, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
keywords: International Student Mobility, Motivations, Higher Education, Thailand