The processes of cultural integration have been investigated extensively in the field of psychology, producing a number of relevant theories. While international students’intention to stay abroad after graduation has been thoroughly examined in the context of push and pull factors addressing mostly socio-economic factors, little attention has been given to the effect cultural adaptation plays in their decision-making process.
In this empirical research conducted in Taiwan, we examine how processes of acculturation and culture mixing affect international students’ intention to remain in the country and seek employment post-graduation. The mediating effect life satisfaction plays in this process, as well as the influence of culture mixing on intentions of students in different academic fields were also addressed in this study.
The findings of this research suggest that (1) acculturation plays an important role in student’s intention to stay and work in Taiwan after graduation, both as a direct effect and (2) through the mediating effect of life satisfaction. (3) Culture mixing was found to have a direct effect on students’ intention to stay and work in the country, (4) but no significant mediating effect of life satisfaction was found in this process. (5) Culture mixing is strongly correlated to STEM students’ intention to stay in the country, while no significant effect was observed for students in different academic fields.

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