Staying or leaving after graduation? Factors shaping international students' decision to remain in South Korea

초록

South Korea increasingly relies on international students to sustain higher education and supplement its shrinking labor force, but stay rates after graduation remain low. Drawing on a survey of 2033 international students, this study examines factors associated with post-graduation intentions to remain in South Korea. Building on the theory of planned behaviour and the three-stage edugration framework (motivations, study experiences, and post-study opportunities) we show that work experience and the recognized value of students' degree are positively associated with their intentions to stay. Financial autonomy, particularly when supported by scholarships, also increases the likelihood of remaining. In contrast, unmet language-support needs reduce the likelihood of staying after graduation. By linking educational migration with post-graduation settlement, this study contributes to research on student mobility and highlights policy levers for retaining skilled migrants in new destination countries.

키워드