Factors Influencing Japanese Students to Study Abroad in a Short Term : A Case Study of Students in the Faculty of Global Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation at Shizuoka University

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.