Abstract:
As one of the new actors in the global higher education market, South Korea has enhanced its
international competitiveness over the last two decades. Education policies aimed at receiving
international recognition have positively affected the country's attractiveness to international
students. Exploring the case of Kazakhstani students in South Korea, I address the reasons and
motivations behind the students' decision whether to return to their home country or remain in the
host country. Building on Bourdieu's capital theory, this research examines how economic and
cultural capital accumulation may shape their choice of location after their studies in South Korea.
I argue that Kazakhstani students highly prioritize the pursuit of high-tech knowledge, skills and
economic factors (high salary) that drive them to stay in South Korea at least at the beginning of
their career.