Australia as the destination for study abroad: International students' mobility

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Education
• Psychology

Background:

• International students are a significant demographic in Australian higher education.
• The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international student mobility due to Australian border controls.
• Understanding motivations for studying in Australia is crucial for universities and policymakers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the motivations of Chinese postgraduate students returning to Australia post-border reopening.
• To investigate why Chinese postgraduate students chose Australia over other destinations during the pandemic.
• To apply Social Cognitive Career and Motivation Theory to international student decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Employed a general inductive approach.
• Conducted semi-structured interviews and focus group activities.
• Utilized member-checking interviews for data validation with 20 participants.

Main Results:

• Financial considerations significantly influenced students' decisions.
• Academic factors played a crucial role in the choice of Australia.
• Personal reasons were also identified as key determinants in their decision-making process.

Conclusions:

• Financial, academic, and personal factors are paramount for Chinese postgraduate students choosing Australian universities.
• Findings provide insights into international student mobility during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The study offers a valuable reference for understanding international student decision-making in Australian higher education.