Student's readiness for international academic mobility programs

Abstract

This study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the determinants of postgraduate students’ readiness to participate in international academic mobility programs in Indonesia. International academic mobility has become an essential component of higher education, offering opportunities for academic enrichment, intercultural experience, and global networking. However, limited studies have examined the readiness of postgraduate students in developing countries to engage in such programs. This study uses a quantitative estimation methodology by employing survey data collected from postgraduate students across several universities in Indonesia. The collected data were analyzed through a sequence of statistical procedures, including exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to test validity and reliability, followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to validate the measurement model and identify the key constructs affecting readiness. This study develops a conceptual framework that integrates academic culture, student competencies and skills, institutional infrastructure, and the quality of academic administration and service systems as major determinants of students’ readiness for international mobility. It is one of the few studies that have investigated the multidimensional institutional and individual factors influencing postgraduate students’ preparedness for international academic mobility in the Indonesian higher education context. The paper's primary contribution is finding that academic culture, student competencies, institutional facilities, and academic service quality significantly influence students’ readiness to engage in international learning environments. This study documents empirical evidence that strengthening institutional support systems and enhancing students’ competencies can significantly improve readiness for global academic engagement and international collaboration.