Examination of students’ selection criteria for international education
International Journal of Educational Management
ISSN: 0951-354X
Article publication date: 8 August 2016
Abstract
Purpose
Motivations for study abroad in tourism and hospitality were examined as to the influence of a variety of personal criteria in the individual decision process of adult learners to select a host country and host institution of study. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
Push-pull factors (Mazzarol and Soutar, 2002) formed the basic framework of inquiry. Quantitative analysis was done through primary data collection using hard copy surveys. Qualitative inquiry involved interviews with open-ended questions.
Findings
Country attractions of the host location was the highest ranked decision criteria, followed by considerations of the educational institution.
Research limitations/implications
Prestige and reputation of the education provider is of high value. However, greater decision influence was seen in respondents’ selection of host country for the attributes of safe and pleasant living conditions, as well as on going career opportunities locally. Sampling was cross-sectional and limited to one industry and one country. Although these are natural control variables, generalizability may be limited, and requires further study.
Originality/value
Policymakers should be mindful of the match between the educational program and the site selection. Prestige of the school may not overcome a suboptimal location decision.
Keywords
Citation
Ahmad, S.Z., Buchanan, F.R. and Ahmad, N. (2016), "Examination of students’ selection criteria for international education", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 30 No. 6, pp. 1088-1103. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-11-2014-0145
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited