Between Hope and Reality: Migration Aspirations and Barriers to Overseas Education among Students at the University of Rajshahi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/asi.2027.24Keywords:
International migration, Student mobility, Migration aspirations, Migration barriers, Higher educationAbstract
This study focuses on the obstacles facing students from abroad who are studying at the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, along with the links between aspirations and preparedness to migrate. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was used to gather data on 200 undergraduate and postgraduate students using a structured questionnaire. Migration intention, awareness, motives, readiness and barriers perceived by the students were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. The results show that most respondents were very interested in studying or migrating abroad, mainly because of higher education, job opportunities and better living standards. But a very small percentage had made any real efforts to apply to universities overseas or to migration schemes. The most prominent challenges to international mobility were financial costs, lack of information and guidance, and lack of institutional support, as well as visa-related challenges. The research also shows that there are significant differences between the aspirations of students to migrate and their willingness to explore international options. The study showcases how the motivations are not the only drivers of migration outcomes, but also resources, information and institutional support. The study extends the literature by moving beyond migration intentions to focus on the impact of structural constraints on the migration readiness of students in the context of a public university in Bangladesh.
Highlights
• Investigates international migration aspirations and barriers among students at the University of Rajshahi.
• Applies Push-Pull Theory and the Aspiration-Capability Framework to explain students’ migration decisions.
• Identifies financial constraints, limited institutional support, and visa regulations as major migration barriers.
• Provides evidence-based recommendations for universities and policymakers to improve international student mobility.
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