REVIEW article
Front. Psychol.
Sec. Educational Psychology
This article is part of the Research TopicEmotional Intelligence in Educational Psychology: Enhancing Learning and DevelopmentView all 34 articles
The Invisible Backpack: How Push-Pull Factors Drive Healthcare Students' Cross-Cultural Learning Attitudes and Career Identity
Provisionally accepted
Naif Mohammed Al-Hada
LIN JIAYIN*- Baise University, Baise City, China
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Abstract: Studying abroad has become an increasingly significant pathway for students seeking academic,professional, and personal growth in a globalized world.. This review paper explores the dynamic relationship between push-pull factors and international students' attitudes toward studying abroad, with a particular focus on the motivations and barriers that shape these perceptions. By synthesizing findings from existing literature and enrollment trends, the study identifies key factors influencing students' decisions to pursue education abroad. Push factors, such as limited educational opportunities and socio-economic challenges in students'home countries, are shown to significantly drive the decision to study abroad, while pull factors such as the prestige of foreign institutions and enhanced career prospects positively influence attitudes. Special attention is given to the context of healthcare education, where international training can address workforce shortages and promote cultural competency among practitioners. The findings offer valuable insights for educational policymakers and institutions, emphasizing the importance of understanding these motivational dynamics to attract and retain international students in healthcare disciplines. The paper concludes by proposing strategies that could facilitate global mobility and collaboration in healthcare education, ultimately contributing to better healthcare outcomes worldwide.
Keywords: Attitude formation, Healthcare education, International students, Push-pull factors, Student mobility
Received: 16 Aug 2025; Accepted: 27 Jan 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Al-Hada and JIAYIN. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: LIN JIAYIN
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