Skip to main content
Log in

What Deters Students from Studying Abroad? Evidence from Four European Countries and Its Implications for Higher Education Policy

  • Article
  • Published:
Higher Education Policy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examines factors that deter students in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands from studying abroad. Using an adaptation of the Rubicon model of action phases, the path to gaining study abroad experience is conceptualised as a process involving two thresholds: the decision threshold and the realisation threshold. Theoretical predictions drawn from rational choice, migration and reproduction theories are integrated into this framework. On the basis of nationally representative and internationally comparable student survey data, logistic regressions are calculated for the two thresholds. Five implications for higher education policy are derived: First, the fact that there are various obstacles to studying abroad means that some students may face multiple disadvantages and might therefore need additional support. Second, mobility schemes might have to reflect better that obstacles at the decision threshold differ from obstacles at the realisation threshold. Third, the self-perpetuating nature of mobility makes the moments of political intervention crucial. Fourth, the similarity of obstacles between countries suggests certain supranational initiatives. Finally, the achievability of the European mobility targets could be discussed, as increasing mobility and creating equitable access to it might be conflicting goals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The four components guide the identification of obstacles to ISM. The rational choice model is not applied formalistically, in the sense that assumed costs of studying abroad are subtracted from the product of expected benefits and the self-assessed probability of realising the benefits.

  2. The samples include national and foreign students at ISCED-97 level 5A, who are residents and completed their prior education in the country where they were surveyed. Students at distance universities or universities of the armed forces were excluded.

  3. The German dataset captures plans for ISM undifferentiated by type and thus not with specific reference to periods of enrolment abroad. Therefore, the share of students planning to study abroad is overestimated. This shortcoming was judged as tolerable presuming that factors deterring students from studying abroad do not differ drastically from factors inhibiting other types of ISM.

References

  • Achtziger, A. and Gollwitzer, P.M. (2007) ‘Rubicon Model of Action Phases’, in R.F. Baumeister and K.D. Vohs (eds.) Encyclopedia of Social Psychology. Vol. 2, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, pp. 769–770.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, R. and Waters, J.L. (2010) ‘Social networks and educational mobility: The experiences of UK students’, Globalisation, Societies and Education 8 (1): 143–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, S. (2013) ‘Becoming a mobile student — a processual perspective on German degree student mobility’, Population, Space and Place 19 (2): 168–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daly, A. (2011) ‘Determinants of participating in Australian university student exchange programs’, Journal of Research in International Education 10 (1): 58–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daly, A.J. and Barker, M.C. (2005) ‘Australian and New Zealand university students participation in international exchange programs’, Journal of Studies in International Education 9 (1): 26–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Pietro, G. and Page, L. (2008) ‘Who studies abroad? Evidence from France and Italy’, European Journal of Education 43 (3): 389–398.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doyle, S., Gendall, P., Meyer, L.H., Hoek, J., Tait, C., McKenzie, L. and Loorparg, A. (2010) ‘An investigation of factors associated with student participation in study abroad’, Journal of Studies in International Education 14 (5): 471–490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Findlay, A., King, R., Stam, A. and Ruiz-Gelices, E. (2006) ‘Ever reluctant Europeans. The changing geographies of UK students studying and working abroad’, European Urban and Regional Studies 13 (4): 291–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finger, C. (2011) The social selectivity of international mobility among German university students. A multi-level analysis of the impact of the Bologna process, Discussion Paper, Berlin: WZB.

  • Gerhard, S. (2011) Mobilität der Studierenden 2009. Absichten, Erfahrungen und Hindernisse, Neuchâtel: BFS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerhards, J. and Hans, S. (2013) ‘Transnational human capital, education, and social inequality. Analyses of international student exchange’, Zeitschrift für Soziologie 42 (2): 99–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goel, L., de Jong, P. and Schnusenberg, O. (2010) ‘Toward a comprehensive framework of study abroad intentions and behaviors’, Journal of Teaching in International Business 21 (4): 248–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, S.B. and Kim, R.I. (2006) ‘Predictors of US college students’ participation in study abroad programs: A longitudinal study’, International Journal of Intercultural Relations 30 (4): 507–521.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gollwitzer, P.M. (1990) ‘Action phases and mind-sets’, in E.T. Higgins and R.M. Sorrentino (eds.) Handbook of Motivation and Cognition: Foundations of Social Behavior. Vol. 2, New York: The Guilford Press, pp. 53–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Isserstedt, W. and Kandulla, M. (2011) Internationalization of Higher Education — Foreign Students in Germany — German Students Abroad, Bonn, Berlin: BMBF.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kley, S. (2011) ‘Explaining the stages of migration within a life-course framework’, European Sociological Review 27 (4): 469–486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kohler, U. and Kreuter, F. (2005) Data Analysis Using Stata, Texas: Stata Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kratz, F. (2012) ‘Der Einfluss der sozialen Herkunft auf die internationale Mobilität und den Stellensuchradius von Studierenden und Hochschulabsolventen’, Soziale Welt 63 (1): 45–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leuven/Louvain-la-Neuve Communiqué (2009) ‘The Bologna Process 2020’, Leuven/Louvain-la-Neuve, 28–29 April.

  • Lörz, M. and Krawietz, M. (2011) ‘Internationale Mobilität und soziale Selektivität: Ausmaß, Mechanismen und Entwicklung herkunftsspezifischer Unterschiede zwischen 1990 und 2005’, Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie 63 (2): 185–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mobility Strategy 2020 (2012) Mobility Strategy 2020 for the European Higher Education Area, Bucharest, 26–27 April.

  • Mood, C. (2010) ‘Logistic regression: Why we cannot do what we think we can do, and what we can do about it’, European Sociological Review 26 (1): 67–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naffziger, D.W., Bott, J.P. and Mueller, C.B. (2008) ‘Factors influencing study abroad decisions among college of business students’, International Business: Research, Teaching and Practice 2 (1): 40–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Netz, N. (2012) ‘Studienbezogene Auslandsmobilität und Berufsverbleib von Hochschulabsolvent(inn)en’, in M. Grotheer, S. Isleib, N. Netz and K. Briedis (eds.) Hochqualifiziert und gefragt, Hannover: HIS, pp. 259–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Netz, N., Orr, D., Gwosć, C. and Huß, B. (2012) What deters students from studying abroad? Evidence from Austria, Switzerland, Germany, The Netherlands and Poland, Discussion Paper, Hannover: HIS.

  • Orr, D., Gwosć, C. and Netz, N. (2011) Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. Eurostudent IV 2008-2011, Bielefeld: WBV.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orr, D., Schnitzer, K. and Frackmann, E. (2008) Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe. Eurostudent III 2005-2008, Bielefeld: WBV.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, R.M. (2007) ‘A caution regarding rules of thumb for variance inflation factors’, Quality & Quantity 41 (5): 673–690.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papatsiba, V. (2006) ‘Making higher education more European through student mobility? Revisiting EU initiatives in the context of the Bologna process’, Comparative Education 42 (1): 93–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Presley, A., Damron-Martinez, D. and Zhang, L. (2010) ‘A study of business student choice to study abroad: A test of the theory of planned behavior’, Journal of Teaching in International Business 21 (4): 227–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Relyea, C., Cocchiara, F.K. and Studdard, N.L. (2008) ‘The effect of perceived value in the decision to participate in study abroad programs’, Journal of Teaching in International Business 19 (4): 346–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richters, E., Roodenburg, S. and Becker, R. (2011) Mapping Mobility 2011. International Mobility in Dutch Higher Education, The Hague: Nuffic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez, C., Bustillo, R. and Mariel, P. (2011) ‘The determinants of international student mobility flows: An empirical study on the Erasmus programme’, Higher Education 62 (4): 413–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salisbury, M.H., Paulsen, M.B. and Pascarella, E.T. (2010) ‘To see the world or stay at home: Applying an integrated student choice model to explore the gender gap in the intent to study abroad’, Research in Higher Education 51 (7): 615–640.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salisbury, M.H., Umbach, P.D., Paulsen, M.B. and Pascarella, E.T. (2009) ‘Going global: Understanding the choice process of the intent to study abroad’, Research in Higher Education 50 (2): 119–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez, C.M., Fornerino, M. and Zhang, M. (2006) ‘Motivations and the intent to study abroad among US, French, and Chinese students’, Journal of Teaching in International Business 18 (1): 27–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sjaastad, L.A. (1962) ‘The costs and returns of human migration’, Journal of Political Economy 70 (5): 80–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Souto-Otero, M., Huisman, J., Beerkens, M., de Wit, H. and Vujič, S. (2013) ‘Barriers to international student mobility: Evidence from the Erasmus program’, Educational Researcher 42 (2): 70–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stroud, A.H. (2010) ‘Who plans (not) to study abroad? An examination of U.S. student intent’, Journal of Studies in International Education 14 (5): 491–507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teichler, U., Ferencz, I. and Wächter, B. (2011) Mapping Mobility in European Higher Education. Volume I: Overview and Trends, Bonn, Berlin: DAAD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Unger, M., Grabher, A., Wejwar, P. and Zaussinger, S. (2010) Internationale Mobilität. Zusatzbericht der Studierenden-Sozialerhebung 2009, Wien: IHS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Der Maid, J.S. (2003) ‘Asian Americans: Factors influencing the decision to study abroad’, Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad 9 (4): 71–110.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for funding the Steeplechase project, which this article is based upon. For their support in calculating the regression models, I owe special thanks to the international project partners: Jakob Hartl and Martin Unger (Austria), Christoph Gwosć, Dominic Orr, Elke Middendorff and Björn Huß (Germany), Bas Kurver and Froukje Wartenbergh-Cras (the Netherlands), Michał Miszkowski (Poland) and Sarah Gerhard Ortega (Switzerland). Finally, I thank two anonymous reviewers, Claudia Finger and especially Kristina Hauschildt for valuable comments on earlier versions of this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Netz, N. What Deters Students from Studying Abroad? Evidence from Four European Countries and Its Implications for Higher Education Policy. High Educ Policy 28, 151–174 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1057/hep.2013.37

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/hep.2013.37

Keywords

Navigation