“I want to win in life”

International student-athletes’ postgraduate decisions to remain in the United States

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/d42v2q39

Keywords:

international students, college athletics, NCAA, post-athletic transition

Abstract

While international students enroll in and matriculate through higher education in the United States for various reasons, no study to date has examined the postgraduate ambitions of international student-athletes concerning their intention to remain in the United States. Accordingly, the present study explored the decisions of former international student-athletes to remain in the U.S. after graduation. The findings revealed that opportunities, influences, and perseverance were the main research priorities for international student-athletes in the U.S. Although international student-athletes most often indicate sports and athletics opportunities as the primary motivation for attending college in the United States, international student-athletes desired career, opportunities, and support from families and friends upon the conclusion of their athletic career factors in their decision to remain in the United States postgraduation.

Author Biographies

  • Karina Jolly , Georgia College & State University

    Karina Jolly, PhD is a lecturer in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Georgia College & State University in the United States. Her research interests center around intercollegiate athletics, athlete development, and international student-athletes. Email: karina.jolly@gcsu.edu

  • Chris Corr, Clemson University

    Chris Corr, PhD, is a senior lecturer in the in the Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership Development at Clemson University in the United States. His research examines the institutional and organizational settings of collegiate athletics with specific regard to the impact and outcomes of collegiate athletics participation on various stakeholders. Email: ctcorr@clemson.edu

     

  • Sarah Stokowski, Clemson University

    Sarah Stokowski, PhD, is an associate professor of athletic leadership in the Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership Development at Clemson University in the United States. Her research interests focus on college athlete development. Email: stoko@clemson.edu

  • Amanda L. Paule-Koba, Bowling Green State University

    Amanda L. Paule-Koba, PhD, is a full professor in the Department of Education and Human Development at Bowling Green State University in the United States. Her research interests are issues in intercollegiate sport, academic clustering recruiting in college athletics, title IX/gender equity. Email: apaule@bgsu.edu

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Published

2025-04-29

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Vol. 15 No. 5 (2025): Journal of International Students

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Research Articles (English, regular edition)

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How to Cite

Jolly , K., Corr, C., Stokowski, S., & Paule-Koba, A. L. (2025). “I want to win in life”: International student-athletes’ postgraduate decisions to remain in the United States. Journal of International Students, 15(5), 19-40. https://doi.org/10.32674/d42v2q39