This study examines the factors influencing Japanese undergraduate university students' decisions to participate in a study abroad program.This study employed a quantitative approach, such as principal component analysis.The findings revealed that students tended to prioritize expenses, program location, and duration, and credit availability.However, other factors, including the availability of a chaperones and recommendations from other individuals, exhibited high variability.This study found four principal components: external motivators, learning activities, program support, and structural conditions.However, none of the components statistically contributed to program selection, whether a program had a chaperone or not.Among the principal components, external motivators, such as employability and credit availability, as well as program support, including the availability of a chaperone, were discussed.Future research is needed to examine the differences in gender and year levels.This study contributes to the design and development of SAPs and their promotion at the university level.
Chochol et al. (Fri,) studied this question.