Exploring international students’ goals for full degree mobility inFinnish higher education institutions

Abstract

This thesis explores the goals of international students pursuing full-degree mobility in Finnish higher education institutions. It aims to identify how these goals evolve over the course of their studies. The research questions focus on the goals of students, the achievement goal orientation profiles of international students, and the stability of the reported goals throughout their degree program. The research used semi-structured in-depth interviews to collect data from 22 international students pursuing a full degree in Finland or who recently graduated from a Finnish educational institution. The study identifies several goals that motivate international students to pursue a degree in Finland, including personal growth, career development, cultural enrichment, and access to high quality education. The research also identifies different achievement goal orientation profiles among the participants, with some students exhibiting a mastery-oriented orientation and others a performance-oriented orientation. The study reveals that the stability of achievement goal orientation profiles varies among international students, with some maintaining a consistent orientation throughout their degree programs. In contrast, others experience changes in their approach to goals and success. This research provides insights into the goal-setting process for adult learners pursuing a full degree in higher education institutions in Finland and suggests several areas for further research.