Determinants of international mobility decision: The case-study of India
Metka Hercog & Mindel van de Laar
#2013-067
Faced with a situation in which countries compete for international
students, it becomes especially important to understand students'
preferences regarding migration behaviour. This paper looks at the
determinants of international mobility intentions in the specific
situation of Indian students in sciences and engineering. It uses data
collected from a survey of students at five Indian universities,
complemented by qualitative data from interviews. We looked at the role
of students' personal and family background, university-related factors,
their social network and preferences for living location in their
motivations for moving abroad. The type of university and field of
studies work as strong predictors for students' desire to move abroad.
Whether a student plans a career in academia or wants to work in a
company has a decisive influence on where they see themselves in the
near future. Professional aspects are confirmed to be the most prominent
in the decision-making regarding international mobility. People who
place high importance on work-related factors are more mobile, while
people who place higher importance on family-friendly environment and
public safety prefer staying in India. International student mobility is
clearly a family decision. Parents' support is crucial for moving
abroad, in moral as well as in financial terms. Normally, obligations
towards family are put in first place ahead of potential individual
initiatives.
Key words: location choices; pull factors; higher education; student
migration; India
JEL classification: F22, J61, I23, J24