Foreign students as a part of international mobility

Abstract

International mobility has increased, and people are in growing numbers receiving their education or a part of it outside their home countries. Temporary migration of students can become permanent if, upon graduation, they do not return to their home countries but stay in the new countries of residence. Transitions to other countries’ labour markets further expand the international flow of skilled persons for whom countries often compete.

This article is analysing foreign students as a part of international mobility using a case-study from the University of Oulu. Among the foreign students of the University of Oulu were basic degree students, post-graduates, exchange students and other students passing separate studies present at 14.9.2005. The article clarifies, in addition to students’ home countries and fields of study, their ranking of attracting countries to work in the future in which Finland got a good position. Some students have had working experiences in Finland and their aspects of working life have been included to the analysis. There were also conducted special interviews for example for the authorities of labour and education administration, enterprises and trade unions.