Factors Influencing Decisions to Study Overseas Essay

Introductionpast times some ten dollar bills hire witnessed massive inflow and divulgeflow of disciples in station to acquire remote high gentility. International grooming and the supranational mobility of students send packing be traced back to ancient times, as early as 600 BC in India (Chen, 2007). Since the late 1990s the high nurture grocery is evolution by 7 percent a year. (Kaul, 2006).The trend is non precisely common in occidental introduction besides Asian students as well constitute a field of battle proportion of foreignist students in alien universities. This Asian market continues to be a major iodin (Gatfield & Hyde, 2005). The reality of world sectionalization institutes in UK and USA make them more than or less preferent destinations for students.The prominent fosterage exporting countries (those which sell breeding to planetary student) embroil USA, UK, Canada and Australia fleck the discipline importing countries (those whic h buy information from distant universities) imply East Asian Tigers, China, India and Pakistan. Due to increasing trend of exotic preparation, the contender amongst the education exporting countries is in any case becoming intense and thus they absorb disclose marketing efforts in order to cast foreign students.Pakistans assistance firmament has grown substantially in past decade and requires major human capital in order to sustain competent growth. A expert workforce is a primaeval to successful trading operations of any calling. The increase of sectors equal instruction technology, fiscal sector and the creation of multinational corporations require educated power. Therefore an educated and highly skillight-emitting diode human capital is a prerequisite for a growth farming wish well Pakistan to enable economic growth.In Pakistan, at that place be a handful of universities offering spatial relation-graduate programs. The disciplines offered atomic numerate 18 not much diverse and the come of seating room ar in like manner limited. Research facilities for doctoral studies atomic number 18 excessively not as advanced as in world class institutes foreign. Beside these already established facts, my research would revolve around the pulp out of individual(prenominal) actors, the external lug- deplume factors and the do work of family, peers, sponsors and employers. (Chen, 2007)Literature ReviewThere involve been several(prenominal) studies conducted on this topic. The unmatcheds I have gone through era doing literary productions review were carried out in India, China, Australia, Portugal, Canada, Malaysia, United Kingdom and South Africa.A research suggested that in order to lure internationalistic graduate students, centralise should be concentrated on investing in research and ensuring the standards of education by the institutions, while efforts should be devoted to the internationalisation of graduate e ducation, as well as devising a national marketing strategy to portray a break out image of their high(prenominal) education institutions and programs. (Chen, 2007).This research suggested that pull factors of master of ceremonies institutions in call of cost, faculty member righteousness and Canadas good written report for cultural tolerance are more important as compared to other(a) personal factors. It go on stated that the lineament of education was more important to students as compared to financial concerns. Internationalization of higher education relate activities are significant to meeting the ending of PhD students inhering selection of foreign university whereas marketing activities directly stoop students prime(prenominal) in taught aim programs. (Chen, 2007)A take up by World Bank stated that foreign education is no different than avocation. It is trade of a service where one farmings resident buys education from the clownish which is selling it . This film made an in-depth analysis of the prejudicial bear on factors associated with the category country. The withdraw for foreign education increases when there is excess demand for interior(prenominal) education and seats are limited. Also, the changing business dynamics and work practices require a more qualified taskforce which make international degree more valuable. Countries like India have started a collaboration program with foreign institutes to so that their domestic education scheme is improved. The write up revealed that education trade has adverse tints on domestic education system of understructure countries especially the developing ones.Nonetheless, this trade is bound to increase and diversify due to the growing demand for foreign qualifications and increasing competition among industrialized nations in the higher education market and in like manner due to the introduction of more higher education institutions from developing countries, which can c ompete on both price and tone. (Bashir, 2007) Greater economic benefits are achieved if natives have acquired higher education. Education export is a business for which the administrators need to devise marketing strategies in order to stay at par with competitors. In this Malaysian regard, international students have as well as been full termed as customers as they are paying for the service. This take analysed 48 factors and their recounting lastingnesss which act upond the international students determinations to select appropriate universities for their ship graduate studies.This correction identified 6 major factors which pulled foreign students, with quality of education and impact of influencers be the most important ones. Importance of to severally one factor was determined using analysis of variance and MANOVA. The research suggested that students from different regions had different preferences and needs and wants. However, all these students demanded a bette r customer focus as they were paying heavily. All international students evaluated factors like qualification of instructors, medium of communication, l understanding environs, tenderization and berth. Quality education, cost, and facilities are directly related to services provided by the HEIs (higher education institutes) are the key determinants of decision- make act upon by the international students hence these factors should be addressed by the HEIs (Padlee, Kamaruddin, & Baharun, 2010)A study carried out in UK revealed that the students have a commit to attend a world class institute which motivates them to go abroad. It was also revealed that US is the most popular destination for UK students. Students with good academic capabilities were primarily the ones who applied to foreign universities. The mixer class and parental educational backcloth also influenced the decision- qualification and the upper class and highly educated parents shaverren were most likely to g o abroad. However it was analysed that family influence mattered least while decision-making. A few students opted to study in Australia because they were interested in standing(prenominal) emigration. It is predictable that the factor of a desire to attend a world class university will become more influential in upcoming decades as there has been an exponential rise in globally rising world class institutes. (Findlay & King, 2010)International stigmatise graduate students studying in Malaysia ranked the programs offered as the most important criteria while selecting a crabby university, followed by fees, facilities and academic staff performance. The paper stated that Malaysia is amongst the most preferable countries for educational intentions these days. The academic excellence of visiting andpermanent faculty is say to be major influencer to attract students. International manations by the professors or university also impact the university reputation.Scholarships offered and environment built were least important factors. However it was discovered that there lays a digression in priorities of students from West and Asia. A multi criteria decision making issues were evaluated using AHP technique. This technique ranked the richness of each factor. trade implications for Malaysian universities is that they should offer a wide range of programs along with scholarships and fair(a) fee structure. (Dahari & Abduh, 2011)The benefits of getting foreign education are evident in form of a highly skilled and productive labour force. The do it of foreign market-gardening adds to learning experience and a more alter labour force is produced. Owing to these benefits, competition amongst the education exporters has become intense. A South African study found out that the pull factors associated with waiter country are more influential in decision making rather that the negative stab factors associated with the cornerstone country. Students purse foreig n education primarily for career development and to experience a foreign culture. 14 factors were examined individually and the most influential factor was found to be pursuit qualifications with worldwide recognition through rank order analysis.Other major factors include limited course availability in plate country, better employment prospect with a foreign degree, experiencing foreign culture and higher quality education abroad. The two least important factors were strict initiation requirements criteria in domestic institutions and non-acceptance by domestic university for favourite(a) course. There was not much variation in responses of students from different countries. As the competition amongst the education exporting countries is increasing, greater marketing efforts are needed by these countries in order to be a lucrative market for foreign student. earnings could prove to be a advantageous tool in terms of advertising. It must be ensured that the quality of educatio n is excellent so that there is crosswalk border recognition of higher education institutes. (Mpinganjira, 2009)Today, higher education is a central factor in order to match stride with the quickly advancing technological world. A study conducted in Australiainvestigated the choice patterns of Singaporean students. Australia is favoured for higher education by international students due to its relatively start cost of education and accommodation as compared to other Western countries. This study explored the demographic pens of students in detail through in-depth interviews and found out how the socio-economic background, cultural influence and psychological factors of student influence their decision making.The students precious to have an independent brisk experience. The decision making mold is a highly complex one which requires high involvement where social, personal and behavioral aspects come into scat. Cultural, colonial, political and regional interest similaritie s amid Australia and Singapore are favourable factors which allow for educational throw between two countries. The natural physical endowments such as oceans, beaches and vast land were also one of the attractions for international students to opt for Australia. The study concluded with a recommendation to Australian institutes to attract foreign students through advertising. (Gatfield & Hyde, 2005)An Indian research highlighted the need for higher educational institutes in their domestic market as there is a need for skilled labour force for their emerging industries. Not however there is a boom in industrial sector, but financial, medical, biotechnical and information technology sectors are also developing rapidly along with climax of multinational corporations. These sectors require human capital which is a product of quality higher education. That paper has termed international higher education as a business with students being its clients. It proposes that foreign campus of international universities should be established in India so that students who do not afford foreign education abroad may earn the fruits of this joint venture between Indian ordinary institutes and foreign universities. (Kaul, 2006)Decision making process is a multi step process influenced by various factors at each constitute. A paper by Pimpa primarily focuses on family, peers and agents influence on decision making of siamese connection students for foreign education. The family factor is further dissected into factors like finance, mentation, competition and expectations while peers and agents mayinfluence through information and competition. The study also actual a relation between age and family influence, the older the students the lesser the influence of family on their decision. Thai students enrolled in Australian institutes were taken as sampling through convenience sampling. The results depicted that finance factor of family influence had a major impact followed by information provided by agents and peers whereas competition amongst the family members and persuasion from family members were least important criteria. This study added the agents influence in detail to already existing theories of external beat back and pull factors. (Pimpa, 2003)A interrupt from the role play by external push and pull factors, the impact of personal psychographics and behavioral factors along with socio-economic background were studied by Boey, Smith and Cuthbert. Gender difference has often been sidelined in this area of research however this study also incorporated that how the relative importance of each factor vary with observe to gender difference making this research unique from all the preceding(prenominal) works done. The demographic profiles of each respondent were made to determine their social class and standing. The main importers of Australian education are Asian students. 50% of students belonged to single income families while other 50% belon ged to double income families thus being capable to afford education in Australia.Fathers of respondents were more qualified than mothers but the influence of parents education level was really minute. Results depicted that sons were sent to UK or US for higher education while daughters were sent to Australia due to relative lesser cost of education than in US or UK. The reputation and academic standing of the institute were prime factors which influenced the selection of university followed by campus environment, facilities and location. Also, females opted for foreign education as an opportunity to experience life abroad in independent manner. The results depicted that gender have different approaches and further research may be carried to highlight these differences. (Smit, Boey, & Cuthbert)A Portuguese study analysed the factors which led to departure of graduates for doing scientific PhD from abroad. These factors included better employment opportunities afterward getting fo reign degree, better researchfacilities abroad and lack of agonistic scientific environment at home. The reputation of the institution, scientific motivatings, such as the resource availability and the composition of the research were pull factors stated in sequence of their importance. (Delicado, 2010)Since the emergence of world as a global village, higher foreign education has become an essential part of the globalisation process. The demand for highly qualified professionals has lead to increased flow of students to international markets for acquiring foreign degrees. The prime objective of foreign education is self development but it eventually adds up to national interest. The most beneficial topic of the international education is that students become well equipped with the required tools to say the concept of social equity and justice with respect to international issues. The term internationalization has several meanings attached to it but with respect to education it c ould be referred to as the process of adopting a fall of activities to make domestic education system well integrated with foreign education system in order to meet the challenges of globalisation.There could be four possible rationales for internationalization process namely political, social/cultural, economic and academic. Different stakeholders assign variable level of significance to these rationales. The differences in interest of various stakeholders usually retort rise to conflicts which may hinder the internationalization process. The internationalization of education could be done though elements such as joint research projects, international conferences and seminars, visiting faculty, distant learning, international students, cross cultural training, intercultural campus events, student exchange programs and foreign language education etc. (Qiang, 2003)Globalisation and internationalization are two phenomena which are distinct in nature but are inter-related. In past d ecades there has been a phenomenal shift to service based industries which has resulted into creation of a k promptlyledge society. Trained personnel are thus required in knowledge based industries in modern times. These elements constitute the process of globalisation. Internationalization too is a part of globalisation where academic institutions indulge in activities such as student exchangeprograms, designing international standard curriculum, foreign language programs and fall apart campuses etc. The main education selling countries are UK and US and earn handsome profits through international students from Asian and Latin American countries. just near institutions from UK and US have opened up branch campuses in Qatar, Singapore and Spain along with some other countries which facilitate provision of international standard education in middle income countries. The factors which hinder the international student mobility include terrorism acts, cultural intolerance, greater cos t of foreign education, judicature regulations, language barriers, government regulations and policies, distant learning programs and the emergence of private sector educational institutes. Provision of international education should not be takeed at earning profits rather it should have a vision to benefit public on a mass scale. (Altbach & Knight, 2007)Chinese students compose the major collocate of world pie of international students and Australia is one of the biggest known for education export. It is a best-loved destination for Chinese students because of security and friendly environment for foreigners. In the foregoing times, Chinese government used to fund foreign studies of its students however now the Chinese familys major expense second to food is their childs education expense. Chinese push factors include inadequate number of institutions in domestic market, increasing trend of foreign education in society, increased ability for self funded foreign education due to rapid economic growth and the need for highly skilled labour. Parents are more aware of the potential benefits of foreign degree thus are involuntary to invest in their childs future.While selecting the legions country, Chinese students consider factors like the reputation of host country, the recognition of the institute, cost of living and knowledge fee, the influence of family, friends and peers, the proximity of host country to Mainland China and the host countries laws and regulations. Chinese students surprisingly do not have an urge to recognize in West and experience their lifestyle and culture. Research proved that Australia was preferred over US, UK and Canada. The most important factor which influences their decision to study abroad is the better quality of education abroad as compared to that in their home country. Australiaattracts students because of its appealing immigration policy, lower crime rate, English-speaking country, cultural tolerance, lower cost of tu ition and living and quick visa application processing. (Yang, 2007) dig factors are associated with the social and economic factors of the home country which propel the students to come after foreign education. The selection of the host country is relied on pull factors which attract foreign students. In developing countries of Asia and Africa there are not ample opportunities in domestic market to acquire higher education therefore students direct themselves to foreign journey. The historical and colonial link of the host and home countries is one of the major factors which influence the decision of students in terms of selection of host country. Other factors include the language similarity, geographical proximity to home country and the technological advancement of the host country. The push factors of home country include the economic stability, its contribution to world economy, emphasis on education importance by the government and access to higher education at home.The pul l model stated that the attraction to a particular country is influenced by the kind of economic and political ties which persist between the home and host country. The common model states the first step is to decide whether to study abroad or in home country, second is the choice of host country and the extreme decision is to select the host institution. Through each stage of the process, several independent factors influence the decision which includes the immigration intentions, barriers to entry in domestic institutes, limited courses offered at home, to experience foreign culture and better quality of education abroad. major concerns are cost of living, travelling, tuition fees and career prospects. (Mazzarol & Soutar, 2002)Research Questions and ObjectivesThe central research enquire isWhat are the major factors which influence Pakistani students decisions to pursue post graduate studies in a foreign country?While attempting to address the central interrogative sentence, t his study also incorporates following dubietys1. What are the characteristics of Pakistani students who acquired foreign degrees? 2. Why did studentsprefer to study abroad?3. How has their socioeconomic background and family setup influenced their decision?The basic purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that influence the decision to study abroad. It would explore the completion to which various factors influence the decision to study abroad and how different students preferences vary based on personal factors and their socioeconomic backgrounds. eventually this study would provide implications for Pakistani universities as to how they could improve their education system in order to attract native students. It would also be beneficial for education exporting countries as they could formulate their marketing strategies based on the findings of this paper..Theoretical FrameworkIts a three staged process where students first decide whether to go abroad for higher educatio n or to study at a local institute. Once they have chosen to study abroad, they select a host country. This second stage is a critical decision to make where students have to weigh the positives and negatives of various options unattached. The last stage is the selection of the institute. This three staged process is commonly fitting by every student who considers studying abroad but sometimes students skip the second stage, the selection of host country, and lowestly pick up the institution for them. E.g. getting enrolled at Ivy League or Oxford is the aim of some students so they do not consider applying to any other country thereby skipping the second stage.The first stage is to take the decision whether to study in Pakistan or abroad. At this stage, personal motivation factors to study abroad and the influence of family and peers along with the external push and pull factors influence the decision. Once the student has decided to go abroad, the second stage comes into play w hich is selection of destination. Several factors come into consideration while selecting the host country. Major factors are proximity to home country, cultural similarity, language and ease of visa process. After the selection of host country, third stage is selection of host institution. While selecting the university, factors suchas programs offered, facilities, fee structure, international reputation and academic quality are evaluated. Throughout the three ages, following independent variables influence the students decisions.* Personal characteristics & motivationPersonal characteristics include socioeconomic background, preferences, academic ability, social capital, and creative capital. (Chen, 2007)* External push & pull factors(Internationalization & Globalisation Prospects of better employment, prize foreign degrees, opportunity to experience foreign culture, desired education not available, home country lacks research facilities, limited career prospects at home, financi al support from home government or agency). include positive and negative forces from the home and host countries, personal driving forces due to external influences, and institutional characteristics. (Chen, 2007) * Friends and Family influence. It includes encouragement from family / spouse, relatives, professors, sponsors, or employers. (Chen, 2007) The dependant variable is the decision to go abroad for post graduate studies.By the end of the search stage for institutions, students will derive a choice set of institutions from which to make applications. The final exam stage of the school choice is to select one school from the set of offers of admission. Students will make trade-offs among the factors considered in the search stage, and reach a final choice. Literature review covered factors like characteristics of graduate international students as well as studies on college choice factors, such as location characteristics, economics of international graduate education, visa , and education / immigration / mobility. The push pull model was also reviewed to understand the strengths of and relationships among various factors that influence the choice of a country, institution, program, and city.A push pull model was originally used in the theory of migration (E. S. Lee, 1966) to explain the factors influencing the movement of people. The model has been used to understand the international students choice of a country (Mazzarol & Soutar, 2002). The push factors are the factors associatedwith the home country. Some push factors are positive and some are negative in nature, while pull factors are in general positive to attract international students to the destination. In essence, the decision, motivations, and flow of international students are a live on of the combined pull factors and push factors as influenced by intervening obstacles. The push factors had strength in the initial reasons for studying abroad, while the pull factors predominate the cho ices, especially the appeal of program availability.HypothesesHo Family and Friends influence does not impact the decision to go abroad for post graduation. HA Family and Friends influence does impact the decision to go abroad for post graduation. Ho Personal motivation does not influence the decision to go abroad for post graduation. HA Personal motivation does influence the decision to go abroad for post graduation. Ho External push and pull factors do not influence the decision to go abroad for post graduation. HA External factors push and pull factors do influence the decision to go abroad for post graduation.MethodologyThe methodology that has been adopted is a combination of qualitative and duodecimal research to analyse the factors which are most influential during the process. Quantitative selective information from a survey questionnaire have been calm to determine the relative strength of each factor influencing the decision to purse foreign education. The impact of push and pull factors, personal motivation, family and peers influence and their relative importance in taking the final decision have been studied using regression and cross tabulations. The survey questionnaire used for this research purpose is taken from a study of English Alumni, administered by the University of Dundee (Professor Findlay) and University of Sussex (Professor King) in UK in 2010. The used for analysis is put in using survey questionnaires sent to international graduates who have returned to Pakistan after acquiring post graduate degrees from abroad or are currently enrolled in foreign universities.The survey comprised a structured, detailed and comprehensive questionnaire examining various factors related to international study. Targeted sample size was minimum 50 surveys to be obtained from the international postgraduate Pakistani students however only45 were returned. Judgemental sampling was done. sort in age, gender and socio economic background were considere d while selecting respondents. It was preferred to have a balance between male and female respondents. The data collected has been used to develop a framework which best describes the decision making process of Pakistani students when they decide to pursue foreign education.InstrumentationThe questionnaire was knowing and piloted in such a way as to ensure that level best relevant information could be collected with minimal imposition on respondents. It takes 10 minutes to complete on average, with a range between 5 and 15 minutes. The questionnaire was designed to provide useful data to answer, or at least shed light on, the research aims. The questionnaire mainly involves shut questions, simple to tick or write a one-word response, with a few spaces for elaborations where it is thought necessary or useful. First three questions are basic principle to the highest degree age, gender and the course of study that was completed abroad. Next question asks about the discipline that w as chosen for study abroad. This question would help me figure the preferred courses which students pursue abroad. This would also help me explore that the decision to study abroad might was taken because that particular courses were not offered here in Pakistan.The question about financing of study program would help profile the students, which would in turn help me to analyse how financing issue force students choices to study abroad. The next question about steering from school staff is related to the independent variable of the impact of significant others. This would help me analyse the importance and impact of information from school about opportunity to study abroad and whether this facilitated the decision to study abroad or it had no impact. The objective of the question which asks to conjure preferred Pakistani universities is to recognise the top preferred post-grad institutes where these students had considered to study in home country. The following question would e xplore that what was the impact of rejection or acceptance by domestic institutes on students decision to go abroad. Next question would help determine that whether the restrictions on number of places to study the preferred discipline in Pakistani universities a factor in encouraging students to consider studying abroad.Under the capitulum of impact of significant others there are questionsabout the contact with acquaintances who were already present at the foreign university. Following is the question about whether there was any information given about scholarships/bursaries by the schools and was that important for those students in making a decision about foreign education. The next question is about the next two independent variables, students characteristics & motivation and external push and pull factors of home and host country. There are vii factors which are being analysed and have been assigned a scale ranging from very important to slightly important to not important and finally not applicable. It includes factors like family pressure to study abroad, personal motivation to attend a world class university, desire for a better career, limited courses available in Pakistan, opportunity to experience foreign culture, increasing trend of acquiring foreign degrees and finally the institutions ranking.The responses by respondents would help me identify how important was each of the stated factors. The next question is open ended which ask students to mention the key factors which influenced their choice of one country over other and the factors which led to selection of a particular institute. This would help me identify the pull factors which attract students to foreign universities. Next question is about the qualification level of the respondents parents. The level of education which they have might influence the decision of students for foreign post grad study.Last question is about the hindrances or the factors which might have concerned students about studying outside Pakistan. Again the degree of importance ranges from very important to not important. The purpose of these factors is to analyse how each factor affected their decision process. These factors include problem with the foreign language, difficult to reserve parental family or spouse/partner, cultural shock, financial constraints to bear expenses and concerns about obtaining visa.