Why This Country? : An Empirical Investigation of International Students' Mobility to Sweden

Sammanfattning: This study offers an in-depth examination of the motives and reflections impacting international students' choice to study in Sweden. Three central themes emerge, namely: motivations for choosing Sweden, cost-benefit evaluations, reflections on immigration prospects, and the impact of Sweden's immigration policy. Inspired by the push-pull theory, human capital theory, and sociological theories, these themes highlight the intricate dynamics that shape the students' decision-making process. This understanding is further enriched by qualitative interviews with a diverse pool of international students, adding layers of individual perspectives to the theoretical framework. The findings explore the noteworthy influence that the prospect of immigration and Swedish immigration policies have on students' destination preferences. Factors such as the educational quality, allure of the country, financial considerations, and post-study opportunities surface, with a strong emphasis on the pivotal role of immigration prospects in students' decision-making. The study notably reveals immigration prospects as a major pull factor for students, an aspect often underrepresented in the discourse on international student mobility. Additionally, despite potential drawbacks, students perceive the benefits of studying in Sweden, such as high-quality education and potential post-study work, as outweighing the costs. This research provides valuable insights for educational institutions and policymakers to better understand and cater to international students' needs and preferences, thereby bolstering Sweden's reputation as an appealing global destination for higher education.