Motivaciones De Intercambio En Estudiantes Universitarios (Exchange Motivations in University Students)

Spanish Abstract: El presente trabajo es un estudio exploratorio que busca determinar los factores que motivan a estudiantes universitarios para optar por un intercambio, y los factores que influyen al momento de elegir un destino. Para esto se aplico un cuestionario a 630 estudiantes universitarios, de los cuales el 91% estaba interesado en participar en un intercambio pero solo un 9% habia postulado. Se encontraron 7 factores que explican el deseo de estudiar en el extranjero: vivir nuevas experiencias, ampliar la red de contactos, influencia de terceros, motivos laborales, autorrealizacion, turismo y motivos academicos. Para el caso de la eleccion de un destino se encontraron 8 factores: el acceso y la oferta academica de destino, calidad de vida, costos, conectividad de la ciudad, turismo, cercania y contactos, motivaciones sociales, y el idioma. Por ultimo se evidenciaron tres segmentos de estudiantes: Conservadores, mas interesado en motivos academicos; Viajeros, abiertos a conocer nuevas realidades, ampliar su red de contactos y vivir experiencias nuevas; y Exploradores motivados por el turismo y viajes en el lugar de destino. Futuros estudios deberian enfocarse en encontrar un modelo causal entre los factores que motivan el intercambio en estudiantes universitarios.English Abstract: This paper is an exploratory study that seeks to determine factors that motivate college students to opt for an exchange program, and factors that influence destination choice. For this, a questionnaire was applied to 630 college students, of which 91% were interested in participating in an exchange but only 9% had postulated. Seven factors that explain the desire to study abroad were found: new experiences, expanding the social network, influence of others, work reasons, self-realization, tourism and academic reasons. When choosing a destination eight factors were found to be important: Access and academic offerings, quality of life, costs, connectivity of the city, tourism, closeness and contacts, social motivations, and language. Finally, three cluster were identified: Conservatives, more interested in academic reasons; Travelers, open to meeting new realities, expand their social network and have new experiences; and Explorers motivated by tourism and travel at the place of destination. Future studies should focus on finding a causal model among the factors that motivate the exchange of university students.