International students as part-time tourists: A case study from Stavanger, Norway

Abstract

The reasons that motivate students to study abroad are important to the tourism industry. This study has a descriptive research design. To answer the main research question the study uses a quantitative methodology. The research question is: What is the main motivation for students to study abroad: to study or to travel? The identified study abroad motives reflect students’ needs for education, cross-cultural, novelty seeking, stimulation, and career objectives. This paper identifies study and travel abroad choice motives of 210 international students at the University of Stavanger. The most importance motives: “To see more of the world”; “to get a new experience”; “to increase knowledge.” Conclusions suggest, that the blurred distinction, between international students study, and travel motives. The research found that younger and single international students go to study abroad with significant stronger social relationship motivation reasons than older and “in relationship” students.