Understanding the factors that influence the decision of international graduates to stay or leave Prince Edward Island

Although outmigration factors have been explored through the lens of various fields and disciplines, the specific factors motivating the outmigration of international graduates from Prince Edward Island (PEI) remain understudied. This study surveyed 294 international graduates from universities and colleges in PEI, assessing socio-demographic variables, psychological adaptation, sociocultural adaptation, and existential isolation. t-tests and ANOVAs were conducted to compare differences in adaptation levels between those who left PEI (n = 162) and those who stayed (n = 67), as well as to analyze differences in adaptation based on country of origin which included the United States (US; n = 130) and those from other countries (n = 67). Results indicated that most international graduates shared similar educational backgrounds and incomes regardless of their decision to stay or leave PEI. The majority cited good job opportunities and social connections as key reasons to stay or return. While it appears that feeling good about living in PEI (psychological adaptation) is a major reason for international graduates to stay in PEI, adapting to the environment and island culture (sociocultural adaptation) has important implications for those who leave PEI. The paper discusses the study’s limitations and offers recommendations for future research.