Despite the growing propensity of international students' mobility, their post-graduation migration remains under-studied. As one of the top three countries in the world for the most difficulties in recruiting talents, Taiwan has modeled other countries in establishing post-study visa schemes for international students who graduate from local universities. However, little attention has been paid to the efforts of countries in the Asian region in retaining international graduates. Furthermore, most studies on international student post-graduation migration have utilized either a quantitative or a qualitative approach. This study used a mixed-methods approach to investigate the post-graduation migration intentions of international students in Taiwan and the factors that influenced their plans. The results revealed that over half of the participants intended to stay after graduation. Four demographic characteristics were found to be significantly associated with migration intentions. Additionally, six themes emerged as the determinants of students' intentions to stay, and five as determinants of students’ intentions to leave. The study uses a model to demonstrate how multidimensional factors influence students' post-graduation migration plans. It also challenges the notion that international graduates are fully prepared to enter the local workforce smoothly. If countries wish to retain international graduates, students need to be supported in adjusting to the local environment and transitioning into the local workforce.

CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION----------------------------------------------1
1.1 Research context--------------------------------------------------------3

CHAPTER II – LITERATURE REVIEW-----------------------------------------7
2.1 Previous findings on factors that influence international students’ post-graduation migration-------------------------------------------------8
2.2 Literature gaps and research objectives-------------------------------14

CHAPTER III – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY-------------------------------17
3.1 Quantitative sample---------------------------------------------------18
3.2 Qualitative research participants--------------------------------------18
3.3 Quantitative data collection: survey-----------------------------------20
3.4 Qualitative data collection: semi-structured interviews---------------21
3.5 Data analysis-----------------------------------------------------------23
3.5.1 Quantitative data analysis-------------------------------------------23
3.5.2 Qualitative data analysis---------------------------------------------24

CHAPTER IV – FINDINGS--------------------------------------------------26
4.1 Quantitative findings--------------------------------------------------26
4.1.1 Demographics-------------------------------------------------------26
4.1.2 Reasons for students' decision to study in Taiwan------------------27
4.1.3 The association between demographic characteristics and post-graduation migration intentions------------------------------------------29
4.1.4 Reasons for students' intentions to stay in Taiwan------------------31
4.1.5 Reasons for students’ intentions to leave Taiwan-----------------34
4.2 Qualitative findings----------------------------------------------------35
4.2.1 Deciding to stay or leave---------------------------------------------35
4.2.2 Factors influencing students' intentions to stay in Taiwan----------36
4.2.3 Factors influencing students' intended length of stay in Taiwan----43
4.2.4 Factors influencing students' intentions to leave Taiwan-----------45
4.3 Model of the findings--------------------------------------------------54

CHAPTER V – DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION-----------------------------55
5.1 Limitations and opportunities for future research--------------------62

REFERENCES---------------------------------------------------------------64

APPENDICES---------------------------------------------------------------73
Appendix A: Overview of the quantitative participants' demographics--73
Appendix B: Survey instrument--------------------------------------------75
Appendix C: Interview consent form--------------------------------------79
Appendix D: Interview guide----------------------------------------------82

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