Decision Factors for International Exchange Cultural Program (IECP):Case Study of Burapha University International College (BUUIC) Students’ Expectation

Abstract

AbstractThis research aimed to analyze and examine the attributes of Burapha University International College (BUUIC) students’ expectation in an International Exchange Cultural Program (IECP). There were 400 students by quota samplingfrom BUUIC students who preferred to participate in the International Exchange Cultural Program (IECP). The instrument was a questionnaire that consists of 2 parts; firstly, students’ demographic andsecondly, students’ expectation. The methodology for data analysis wasexploratory factor analysis (EFA) by Principal Component Analysis with Varimaxrotation andas well as K-MeansCluster Analysis. The results of the research showed that there were 6 factors of students’ expectation, that determine theparticipation in an International Exchange Cultural Program,which included 1) facility and hospitalityaffordability, 2) new experience and finance, 3) restaurant and shopping arrangement, 4) information sharing, 5) local guide’s performance, and 6) service management. Moreover, the perceived outcome of students from Cluster Analysis showed 2 interesting groupsthat BUUIC has to concern; 1) service perceived, and 2) products andknowledge perceived.