Abstract
This paper responds to calls for studies of student migrant experiences and the institutional actors that are involved in international student migration. In particular, we examine the ways in which institutional actors can influence student motivations and experiences through a case study of the Norwegian Quota Scheme. We discuss three main findings. First, institutions play a significant role in determining who migrates and the reasons for migration while shaping the academic experience and future migration plans of international students. Second, state-funded international student migration programmes constrain the future plans of recipients, reflecting potential differences in decision-making among state-funded and self-financed students. Third, international students – as both students and migrants – undergo significant personal growth during the course of their studies. This complicates state goals to return or retain student migrants, as the ambitions of students are likely to change concomitant with their personal development.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e2005 |
| Journal | Population, Space and Place |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 1 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Funding
We thank the research participants for sharing their experiences. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers in Tampa and the Regional Studies Association conference in Izmir. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1155339 and a W. K. McClure Scholarship for the Study of World Affairs, provided by the Office of International Education at the University of Tennessee. This financial support is highly appreciated. We also thank FAFO Institute for Labor and Social Research in Oslo, Norway for institutional support.
Keywords
- Norway
- decision-making
- higher education
- institutions
- international student migration