Explorers of the world: understanding students’ considerations when choosing an exchange destination

• Main Authors: Chua, Bryan Wei Wen, Liang, Weiting, Sun, WenZhen
• Other Authors: Sng Hui Ying
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Social Sciences; Student exchange; Exchange program; Mobility balance
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/175571
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

To understand students' considerations in selecting exchange destinations, this study examines the impact of six independent variables—Familiarity, Prestige, Language Barrier, Cost, Safety, and Difficulty of Course Matching—on students' willingness to engage in exchange programs in countries with negative mobility imbalances, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Encouraging students to pursue exchanges in countries with negative mobility balance, notably emerging markets, is essential to fostering cultural intelligence, acquiring diverse exchange experiences, and achieving mobility balance. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, encompassing survey data collection, regression analysis, and focus group discussions to comprehensively understand students' decision-making considerations. Overall, regression results suggest that five out of the six variables influence students' exchange destination preferences, with significance levels varying by country. Further insights from focus group discussions provide a nuanced understanding of these influences. Recommendations are offered to OGEM to enhance efforts in promoting exchange opportunities, particularly in emerging markets, based on the study findings.