YOUTH ASPIRATIONS AND STUDY ABROAD INTENT: FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SELECTION OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AMONG 11TH-GRADE STUDENTS

Abstract

The study seeks to explore the factors that influence the decision-making process of eleventh-grade students in mainstream public schools in Western Kazakhstan when choosing international education. This is a timely topic of importance, as the number of eleventh-grade students leaving overseas is growing yearly. Moreover, having gained national independence, Kazakhstan has undertaken some significant educational reforms that have led to an increase in the number of higher education students going abroad to study. The study focuses on understanding the motivations, preferences, and considerations that shape students’ decisions to pursue an international education. By exploring these factors, educators and policymakers can gain valuable insights into students’ needs and tailor their educational offerings accordingly. The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, incorporating online surveys and individual interviews to gather comprehensive data. The findings will contribute to enhancing the educational opportunities and support systems available to students in Western Kazakhstan. In the quantitative part, data from a survey with 94 participants, including demographic information and questions related to factors influencing decision-making, is presented. The survey focused on aspects such as the influence of family, community, culture, and society on students' decisions. The qualitative analysis involved interviews with four participants selected voluntarily from those whose parents agreed to participate. These interviews explored participants' motivations, aspirations, socio-economic backgrounds, cultural influences, and language considerations in their pursuit of international education. Overall, the findings underscore the complex interplay of personal, familial, socio-economic, cultural, and linguistic factors in shaping students' decisions to pursue international education.