A STUDY OF DECISION-MAKING FACTORS OF INTERNATIONALS STUDENTS TO STUDY IN THAI UNIVERSITIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. To study the factors affecting decision to study at universities in Thailand and 2. To compare the factors affecting decision to study at universities in Thailand among international students during the COVID-19 pandemic, categorized by country group and type of international students, study format by document study. In-depth interviews with 5 international education experts and data survey using questionnaires with samples of 400 international students from 35 countries. Statistics used in data analysis included frequencies, percentages, averages, and comparison of data from analysis. Variance (ANOVA).

The results revealed various factors that had some significance on the international students’ decision making: 1. University Factors related to Teaching and Learning was the most important factor. Other considerations (in ranked order of significance) were: technology and facilities, program and curriculum, costs, university’s reputation, advisor, future career expectation, appeal of the host country, networking potential, and research laboratory. 2. Environment Factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, health and safety. The comparative analysis results of three groups of three zones of countries (Asia, Europe and Africa) and two types of international students (full-time students and short-term exchange students), indicated that the importance of University Factors and Environment Factors differed with statistically significant level (p<0.01).