Abstract:

The aim of the research is to analyze the factors that determine the choice of foreign students to study in Latvia and the intentions to stay in the country after graduation. Within the framework of the research, a survey of foreign students was conducted with the aim to analyze students' motivation, satisfaction and future intentions in order to develop recommendations for promoting the attraction of foreign students in higher education institutions. Descriptive statistical methods were used for the analysis to determine the distribution and the Mann-Whitney test was applied to compare two independent samples and to determine the differences at the level of the studied characteristics. The hypothesis of the research that the views of foreign students on students' motivation, satisfaction and future intentions differ significantly in the capital and regions was partially confirmed. Irrespective of whether the university is located in the capital or in the region, the opinions of foreign students on the factors determining students' choice to stay in Latvia after graduation do not differ significantly. Both the EU and non-EU students point out that well-paid work, the opportunity to improve and develop, a high level of social guarantees and quality of life are the factors that would encourage students to stay in Latvia after graduation. In turn, the assessments of satisfaction with studies and living conditions in Latvia reveal differences depending on the location of the university, especially in the factor Living conditions (residence, its costs, distance or time necessary to get to the university); students in the capital are more satisfied than students in the regions. However, compared to students studying in the capital, students in the regions highly value the study process and its quality, as well as the study environment and infrastructure.

Keywords:

Higher education institution, internationalization, student mobility.