Elisabeth GRUBER, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Urban and Regional Research, Austria
University students represent a group with a higher propensity to become mobile since they often need to migrate (internally) to be able to attend a university. Further, mobility programmes and mobility imperatives constitute to a higher international mobility of young people enrolled in tertiary education. During the pandemic, we observed internal as well as international mobility of students coming to a halt. Students moved back to/stayed at their parent’s homes (at least temporarily due to lock-downs and distance learning) or canceled international stays.
Temporarily (changed) im/mobilities, as well as long-term im/mobility aspirations of students, are in the focus of ongoing this research project, funded by the City of Vienna. It wants to find out: (1) In how far the pandemic triggered temporary (internal) mobility (e.g. return mobility, (canceled) international mobility, urban-rural mobility); (2) In how far the pandemic influenced aspirations of students on where they imagine getting settled after graduating. Further, the study in general took stock of im/mobility aspirations of students and young academics and motivations behind their preferences.Mixed-methods were applied: (a) an online survey with a total sample of 245 participants reached; (b) qualitative interviews with students;
The theoretical approach of the study emphasizes that spatial location decisions are made in the area of ??tension between mobility and immobility. It will especially take immobility decision-making into its focus, which is (like mobility decisions) influenced by legal conditions, available resources, and individual aspirations. The research aims to review classifications of immobility (e.g. voluntary, involuntary, and acquiescent immobility). Further, it will pick up the notion of “location-specific insider advantages” and how they might have changed for students due to (temporary) relocations.
Mots clés : aspirations|im/mobility|student migration|internal migration|migration intentions
A102901EG