Internationally recognized expertise draws global attention, and expatriate academics represent an important part of this expertise within the increasingly globalized landscape of higher education. This study explores the phenomenon of being an expatriate academic in Turkey focusing on the motivations behind continuing their careers in Turkey or leaving the country. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the thematic analysis of interviews with ten diverse expatriate academics reveals insights into the factors influencing their retention or return decisions. The alignment between their perceptions of being expatriate academics in sociocultural and professional dimensions and their experience within Turkish higher education, notably in intercultural competence development and career advancement opportunities, serves as a significant pull factor and leads them to stay in Turkey. However, the discrepancy between their perceptions and actual experiences, particularly regarding issues of inequality, acts as a push factor and motives them to leave Turkey.
Dönmez et al. (2026) studied this question.