Abstract:

The number of international students is increasing by 6% annually and international students are an important growth factor around the world. Finland has also increased its attractiveness as a host country for international students; at the turn of the millennium, Finland had about 6,000 international students. This number has risen to around 22,800 in 2024. As the number of international students has increased, as well as the number of host countries, there will be a greater need to understand how students choose their country of study and what attraction factors exist. Against this background, it is interesting to note that Finland was ranked fourth in 'highest satisfaction with the study country' in the survey 'Key influencers in International Student Satisfaction' in Europe, after Portugal, Poland, and Switzerland, but ahead of Sweden, which was in fifth place. Interestingly, the traditionally popular countries of the United Kingdom, Germany, and France did not reach the top positions in this survey.

This study was done as an abductive study with 27 interviews. The interviews were conducted in the autumn of 2023 and consisted of students (N=20) and alumni (N=7). We studied the factors influencing the decision to choose Finland as a study destination and the support that the students claim they would need when applying and arriving to the host university. Based on the data we have listed support activities that would help international students in their adaptation to studies in Finland. During the interviews, the students were asked to describe their reasons for choosing Finland as their study destination and to describe the application process and the time from being accepted as students to arriving in Finland. We also asked them about the initial stages of studies and the support needed at that time.

The results show that the main factors influencing the choice of destination to study are tuition fees, scholarships, early bird discounts and the country image. It is also evident that there is a need for support before the actual education in the host country (this case Finland) starts; language studies, cultural information, housing information and support for the rest of the family, if the whole family is moving. When arriving in the host country there is a request for proper reception services; help is needed for all kinds of practical matters such as housing, finding one's way both around the city and university and therefore a support person is needed. Also, the first weeks/months at university would benefit from support.

Keywords:

International students, adaptation, support, higher education.