Factors Affecting the Decisions of Foreign Students to Participate in an Exchange Program at Burapha University International College in Thailand
Keywords:
Decisions, Foreign Students, Exchange Program, International College, ThailandAbstract
The exchange program has emerged as a prevailing trend for foreign students seeking opportunities not readily available in their home countries. Burapha University International College (BUUIC) has hosted a number of foreign students participating in the exchange program for over a decade. In order to optimize its role as a distinguished host institution, this qualitative study principally aims to examine the factors influencing foreign students' decisions to engage in an exchange program at BUUIC in Thailand and to delve into experiences exhibited by the students. Employing a semi-structured interview approach, data were gathered from 36 student participants. The findings indicate that society and culture, affordability, and facilities and services, rank as the foremost factors compelling foreign students to partake in an exchange program at BUUIC. A majority of respondents expounded that their experiences were superlative, bearing immeasurable value and contributing to indelible memories. Furthermore, they conveyed a sense of personal growth, perceiving themselves as having evolved into more refined individuals. The outcomes elucidated in this study offer practical insights for institutions of higher education, colleges, and universities for arranging exchange programs for foreign students.References
Ager, A., Stark, L., Sparling, T., & Ager, W. (2010). Rapid appraisal in humanitarian emergencies using Participatory Ranking Methodology (PRM). Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Program on Forced Migration and Health.
Alfattal, E. (2017). International students’ college choice is different! International Journal of Educational Management, 34(4). doi:10.1108/IJEM-05-2016-0095
Asante, T., & Apusigah, A. A. (2019). Prospects, Challenges, and Opportunities of International Exchange Programmes. doi:10.1163/9789004411876_010
Bodycott, P. (2009). Choosing a higher education study abroad destination - What mainland Chinese parents and students rate as important. Journal of Research in International Education, 349-373. doi:10.1177/1475240909345818
Bracht, O., Engel, C., Janson, K., Over, A., Schomburg, H., & Teichler, U. (2006). The professional value of Erasmus mobility: Final report. International Centre for Higher Education Research (INCHER). Kassel: University of Kassel.
Bryla, P., & Ciabiada-Bryła, B. (2014). Obstacles to International Student Mobility: The Case of Poland. Trends Journal of Sciences Research, 1(1), 12-16. doi:10.31586/PoliticalStudies.0101.02
Ching, Y.C., & Chayanuvat, A. (2019). Factors Influencing International Students' Decision to Study at Taiwanese Universities [Paper presentation]. The 3rd Graduate School Conference, Thailand.
CIOÈ-PEÑA, M. (2019). Wanting to Leave; Needing to Stay: Issues for Undocumented Mothers of Children with Disabilities. Multiple Voices: Disability, Race, and Language Intersections in Special Education, 20(2), 6-23.
Daly, A. (2011). Determinants of participating in Australian university student exchange programs. Journal of Research in International Education, 10(1), 58–70. doi:10.1177/1475240910394979
Engel, C. (2010). The impact of Erasmus mobility on the professional career: Empirical results of international studies on temporary student and teaching staff mobility. Belgeo. Revue Belge de G´eographie, 4, 351–363. doi:10.4000/belgeo.6399
Hannam, K., Brown, R., Guereño O., & Basagaitz. (2014). Erasmus mobility and employability research. Lodz University Press.
Hughes, H. E., & Bruce, C. S. (2006). Cultural diversity and educational inclusivity: International students' use of online information. The International Journal of Learning Annual Review, 12(9), 33-40.
James-MacEachern, M., & Yun, D. (2017). Exploring factors influencing international students’ decision to choose a higher education institution: A comparison between Chinese and other students. International Journal of Educational Management, 31(3), 343-363. doi:10.1108/IJEM-11-2015-0158
Jampaklay, A., Penboon, B., & Lucktong, A. (2022). Internationalization of Higher Education in Thailand: Promises and Reality. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 43(1), 183–193. doi:10.34044/j.kjss.2022.43.1.25
Jupiter, H., Othman, I. W., Mohd Suki, N., Yusoff, M. S., Awang, H., & Razak, R. A. (2017). Factors Influencing International Student’s Decision in Choosing Study Destination Abroad. Labuan E-Journal of Muamalat and Society (LJMS), 11. doi:10.51200/ljms.v11i.728
Kennedy, P. (2010). Mobility, flexible lifestyles and cosmopolitanism: EU postgraduates in Manchester. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 36(3), 465–482. doi:10.1080/13691830903426838
Kirloskar P., & Inamdar, N. (2021). Shifting International Student Mobility Directions and Factors Influencing Students’ Higher Education Destination Choices. Johepal, 2(3), 160-178. doi:johepal.2.3.160
Nada, C. & Legutko, J. (2022). “Maybe we did not learn that much academically, but we learn more from experience” – Erasmus mobility and its potential for transformative learning. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 87, 183-192. 10.1016/j.ijintrel.2022.03.002.
Nakpathom P. and Pasunon P. (2015). Decision factor for International Exchange Cultural Program (IECP): Case Study of Burapha University International College (BUUIC) Students’ Expectation. Academic Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Burapha University, 23(43), 227-246.
Nikitina, L., & Furuoka, F. 2012. Strangers when we meet: a case study of Malaysian students’ perceptions of their international peers. New Educational Review, 27(1), 119-129.
Özoğlu, M., Gür, B. S., & Coşkun, İ. (2015). Factors influencing international students’ choice to study in Turkey and challenges they experience in Turkey. Research in Comparative and International Education, 10(2), 223–237. doi:10.1177/1745499915571718
Sankham, S. & Hamra, W. A. (2016). Factors Affecting Student Decisions to Study at Asia Pacific International University. Catalyst, 13(1), 136-145.
Smith, R.A., & Khawaja, N. G. (2011). A review of the acculturation experiences of international students. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 35(6), 699-713
Tadaki, M., Tremewan, C. 2013. Reimagining internationalization in higher education: international consortia as a transformative space? Studies in Higher Education, 38(3), 367-387.
Yu, B., & Zhang, K. (2016). ‘It’s more foreign than a foreign country’: Adaptation and experience of Mainland Chinese students in Hong Kong. Tertiary Education and Management, 22(4), 300-315. doi:10.1080/13583883.2016.1226944
Zhang, F., & Zhou, M. (2018). Factors affecting Chinese students’ choice of studying in Sweden (Master Thesis). http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-355292
