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The determinants of international students' return intention

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  • Jan-Jan Soon

    (Department of Economics, University of Otago)

Abstract

Students' non-return is a specific type of brain drain. This paper is an empirical study of the determinants of students' return intention in New Zealand. Applying a binary logit model on a comprehensive set of survey data, this study finds that initial intention prior to leaving for abroad is the most important factor determining whether or not a student intends to return home after completing his tertiary education. StudentsÕ perceptions on comparative aspects of the home and host country, such as wage competitiveness, working environment, opportunities for knowledge application and lifestyle, also contribute significantly to return intention.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan-Jan Soon, 2008. "The determinants of international students' return intention," Working Papers 0806, University of Otago, Department of Economics, revised Jul 2008.
    • Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:0806
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    File URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago0771010.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kahn, Shulamit & MacGarvie, Megan, 2020. "The impact of permanent residency delays for STEM PhDs: Who leaves and why," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(9).
    2. Riccardo Crescenzi & Nancy Holman & Enrico Orru’, 2017. "Why do they return? Beyond the economic drivers of graduate return migration," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 59(3), pages 603-627, November.
    3. Ilka Steiner, 2019. "Settlement or Mobility? Immigrants’ Re-migration Decision-Making Process in a High-Income Country Setting," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 223-245, February.
    4. Jan-Jan Soon, 2009. "When do students intend to return? Determinants of students' return intentions using a multinomial logit model," Working Papers 0906, University of Otago, Department of Economics, revised Jun 2009.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Students' non-return; brain drain; binary logit model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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