A Qualitative Study on International Students’ Extracurricular Participation Experiences and the Formation of Retention Intentions: A Case Study of W University

Abstract

This study aims to qualitatively explore how international students’ participation in extracurricular programs contributes to the development of retention intention. Motivated by increasing dropout rates among international students and the limited research on the relationship between extracurricular participation and retention intention, the study draws on Astin’s (1984) Student Involvement Theory and Tinto’s (1993) Student Integration Theory. A qualitative case study was conducted with 18 international students who participated in a short-form video contest at W University. In-depth interviews conducted in 2024 and 2025 were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The findings revealed that participation motivation shifted from personal interest and peer influence to academic relevance and self-development. Self-expression evolved from creative experimentation to more strategic forms, while social relationships expanded from interaction to collaboration and solidarity. Repeated participation also strengthened participants’ sense of community, satisfaction with university life, and retention intention. The findings suggest that repeated participation in extracurricular programs promotes the accumulation and reconstruction of experiences, thereby fostering retention intention. Universities should therefore establish sustainable extracurricular systems that encourage continuous participation and support international students’ academic and social integration.