Post-Graduation Transitions of International Students in Taiwan: Barriers to Labour Market Integration

Mukhamad Zulianto (National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan)
Irmadatus Sholekhah (Universitas Jember, Indonesia)
Badrus Sholeh (Universitas Pamulang, Indonesia)
Rofiq Noorman Haryadi (Sekolah Tinggi Ekonomi Bisnis Syari’ah Bina Mandiri, Indonesia)
Sujadmi Sujadmi (Universitas Bangka Belitung, Indonesia)
Olivia Winda Ony Panjaitan (Universitas Palangka Raya, Indonesia)

FIKRI : Jurnal Kajian Agama, Sosial dan Budaya
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2025): Fikri : Jurnal Kajian Agama, Sosial dan Budaya

Taiwan has emerged as a regional education hub, drawing international students particularly from Southeast and South Asiathrough proactive recruitment and policy tools, such as the New Southbound Policy. After graduation, many of these students face substantial barriers to integrating into Taiwan’s labor market. This study particularly targets barriers to employment that international graduates face after completing their degrees, focusing on the prevailing work governance structures and systemic frameworks. This qualitative study, based on 20 in-depth interviews and policy analysis. Findings reveal that entrenched bureaucratic hurdles, racialized labor hierarchies, and structural discrimination inhibit international graduates’ access to meaningful employment. The study calls for policy realignments that reframe international graduates as long-term socio-economic assets, not transient learners.