Understanding How International Students from the Caribbean Arrive at the Decision to Remain within the United States Post-Graduation and the Connection to Brain Drain

Abstract

Using a phenomenological research design and a sample of six international students, who remained within the United States post-completion of their highest earned degree, the authors examined the underlying considerations participants made during their decision-making process. The interview questions posed to participants included the following: (i) what experiences have led you to remain within the United States after your highest level of education, (ii) tell me about the process you undertook towards arriving at that decision, and (iii) tell me about people at your institution who were instrumental in helping you make that decision. The results revealed that all six participants relied on the following considerations: economical, political, and social, which contributed to their decision. For all the participants, lack of job opportunities and receiving low salaries or wages back home played a key role in their decision to remain within the United States.