Attracting and retaining talented workers is a critical element in a technology-based economy. In the U.S., a major source of this talent comes from international students, many of whom stay in the United States to work after graduation – especially in STEM industries. New research from economists at the University of California at Santa Barbara examines why international students may choose to study in the U.S., as well as what compels them to either remain in the country or go elsewhere after earning their degrees. Citing future job opportunities as the main reason, most international students (48 percent) hope to stay in the United States after graduation, while only 12 percent wish to leave, and 40.5 percent are undecided. The undecided group may represent a critical pool of STEM talent that could become part of the workforce, according to the authors.