Motivations of Vietnamese Students in Study Abroad: A Case of Vietnamese Graduate Students in the Philippines

Abstract

This paper investigates the motivational factors of Vietnamese graduate students choose to study abroad and why they select the Philippines as their academic destination. Descriptive data using mixed method from 56 Vietnamese graduate students (VNGSs) in six universities in Metro Manila were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interview. The findings reveal that VNGSs respectively identify “professional development”, “English improvement and “better educational quality” as the most important motivational factors to study abroad. The factors of affordable tuition fees and living costs, English speaking environment, convenience for travelling and the closeness of the Philippines are considered as very significant factors influence VNGSs’ coming to study in this country. From the findings, the paper discusses their implications for Vietnam graduate education.