What drives study decisions for international students?

What if you are after an international career but are unsure where to start? What would motivate you to choose a certain study destination? The answer for this current generation of students (and their parents!) seems rather straightforward: Employability. Not (just) in the sense of a job upon graduation, but in feeling welcome as a foreigner in the job market of that country concerned and feeling able to manoeuvre in that job market.

If we start with the part of feeling welcome in your new destination, brace yourself. A lot is going on relating to international students and how welcoming certain study destinations are currently to the over 6 million international students. This is making study abroad more political than it has been for years. Should this stop you from going abroad? No not at all, but maybe you should pay a little more attention to that next step after graduation than you had initially planned.

The focus of this article, however, will be on research data that shows how current international students decide and what steps they take to be most successful.

Research from the International Student Barometer (ISB) amongst 122,975 international students, studying in 24 different countries, tells us that “future career impact” has been consistently the number one factor in students’ decision-making since 2018. While it is often assumed that students choose where to study based on the country (#7), the reputation of the university (#3), or the specific course or programme (#2), we should not underestimate the importance of careers regarding study choice as the number 1 driver, backed up by ‘Earning potential’ on the 5th place (out of 20 answer options). The ISB survey data shows how important it is for higher education degrees to prepare people for the world of work that awaits them, making sure they have the academic knowledge, the skills (and the confidence!) needed to manoeuvre a constantly changing global job market. As Wendy Curtis, Dean of International Strategy, Partnerships and Market Development at Fanshawe College, explained in a case study “… ultimately students are looking to gain the skills for employment. It’s a huge priority for them.”

Study Choice, source: Etio, the International Student Barometer, The 2024 Global Student Experience Report (**question only asked to post graduate students).

Let’s next look at the ability to manoeuvre in an unknown job market, bearing in mind that making the transition from higher education to the world of work is an unknown and intimidating process for all young people. Irrespective, of whether it concerns the job market of your home country or, even scarier, the job market of your host country. The 2024 Global Student Experience Report shows that 20% of students do not feel prepared for the next step in their career after completing their degree underscoring the need for career support to address this informational gap. Understanding what is required to get hired in your new host country is the next step to international career success, and it is not an easy step.

According to the Erasmus+ project ErasmusCareers  it is evident that skills gained by students through international mobility experiences align closely with what employers desire in candidates. However, employer research also shows employers are not just hiring a candidate because they studied abroad. Yes, the skills gained are important, maybe even critical for new hires. However, a survey amongst Canadian employers emphasised that while international experiences are beneficial, they are not a guarantee for employment. Graduates need to be able to effectively articulate how their time abroad has helped them develop these sought-after skills. “Having spent time abroad is certainly a benefit, but not a prerequisite for us to hire a candidate. Having had different experiences is important though. But what we value most is good work ethic and the willingness to learn and participate in activities.” is what one of the Canadian employers mentions.

“Closing the Employer Gap on Global Skills Gained Through Mobility,” funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and administered by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).

The Canadian report underscores the significant benefits that studying abroad offers to students such as fostering the development of crucial soft skills. Soft skills such as enthusiasm, engagement, motivation, and communication were highlighted as more critical than technical expertise for recent graduates in interviews. These skills are highly prized in the job market, particularly by employers who have experienced international mobility themselves. An Advisor Talent Attraction summed it up nicely: “Communication is definitely a top priority. It’s something we look for in candidates regardless of the position. Next, I would say teamwork and the ability to collaborate with others are crucial, no matter what position they’re in. Even with a lot of independent work, cross-departmental communication is essential. Lastly, I would highlight adaptability and a willingness to learn and problem-solve. Especially when hiring for entry-level positions, I’m looking for someone who can think on their feet and quickly pick up new skills, even if they don’t have the exact experience.”

Hence to make the most of studying abroad, we can be brief: select an institution that supports employability and understands the value of career advice. Next, make sure that you understand what you have gained while studying abroad and how you can put those skills to work for the job at hand. And if you need some ideas of how to make that work, just check out this CareerProfessor blog that helps you to translate your mobility experience into exactly those skills employers are looking for: Communication; Adaptability; Problem-solving; Teamwork; and Time- and Self-management. Studying in another country must be presented as an employability-related action instead of simply ‘something extra’ you have done. Demonstrate that added plus!

©2025 Nannette Ripmeester, Expertise in Labour Mobility/Etio