Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify which push factors influence the decision of Indian students to leave their home country to pursue their Education abroad. Specifically, the study was designed to identify which pull factors (a) influence their country of choice to pursue their Education abroad, (b) influence their university choice for consideration of applying for admission, and (c) determine the final decision to matriculate at a chosen university. The data for this quantitative research study were collected by surveying international students from India currently attending large residential and nonresidential public, four-year research universities in the Midwest. A link to the Qualtrics questionnaire was e-mailed to a total of 471 potential participants. A total of 172 responded to the survey, of which 27% ( n = 48) were from residential campuses, 63% ( n = 110) were from non-residential campuses, and 10% ( n = 17) did not provide full responses. Fifty-one ( n = 89) of the respondents were men, 41% were women ( n = 71), and 8% ( n = 15) did not report their gender. The most influential push factors identified were • enhancing personal experience, • building international contacts, and • establishing professional networks. The key factors that influenced the choice of a host country included • high paying job prospects after graduation, • better public infrastructure and amenities, • well-established international Education program recognized internationally, • recognition of current degree for employment and further Education, and • ease of access to information. The factors that influenced the decision to apply for admission at various institutions included institutional ranking and prestige, cost of Education, possibilities of institutional funding, research reputation, and requirements for admission. Within the key faculty and facility factors were campus safety and security, opportunity to learn about other cultures, and institutional infrastructure. Under the program evaluation factor, recognition of degree by future employees, program suitability and specialization, quality of program, and ranking and rating of the program were identified as key influential factors. Each of these factors had varying levels of influence based on the students characteristics and types of institution they were attending. The study found cost of living and Education, institutional scholarships and funding support, and the reputation and rigor of the program were the most influential factors in determining the institution to matriculate from. These factors had varying levels of influence based on the students characteristics and type of institution they were attending.

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