Understanding the Decisions of African Graduates to Stay Abroad
International graduates from African countries often face complex decisions after completing their studies abroad. The choice to remain in a foreign country or return home is influenced by a variety of factors, including personal attitudes, social norms, and economic conditions. Researchers Dr. Mohammed Yeboah and Professor Josef Novotny have explored these dynamics in a study published in Elsevier’s International Journal of Educational Development.
The study focused on Ghanaian students who had completed their education in Europe and examined their migration intentions versus actual post-graduation behavior. By interviewing 23 non-returnees and 22 returnees, the researchers aimed to understand the underlying drivers of migration choices beyond traditional push and pull factors.
A Complex Array of Influences
The decision to stay or return is rarely determined by a single factor. Instead, it involves a complex interplay of attitudes and social pressures. For instance, while many graduates express a desire to return home, family expectations often encourage them to remain abroad. This dynamic highlights the role of social norms in shaping migration decisions.
Perceived behavioral control, a concept from psychology, also plays a crucial role. It refers to an individual’s belief about how easy or difficult it is to perform a specific behavior. Factors such as past experiences, perceived obstacles, and available resources influence this perception. Challenges in home countries, such as political instability, bureaucratic hurdles, housing shortages, or cultural readjustment, can discourage return.
Economic Opportunities and Employment Prospects
Employment prospects are central to long-term decision-making for many graduates. Economic opportunities in host countries often attract students to stay, especially during key life stages. Language barriers or discrimination may limit the willingness of some graduates to remain, but overall, the decision is influenced by both the home and host countries.
Institutional factors, such as contracts requiring return after graduation, also play a significant role. For example, graduates under government-funded programs often have obligations to return to their home countries. These commitments shape both their intentions and actual behaviors.
Attractive Labour Markets and Cultural Shifts
Economic drivers are particularly relevant for many African graduates who choose to stay in Europe due to better job opportunities. In countries like Nigeria and Kenya, there has been a growing trend of not returning after graduation. This phenomenon, known as “japa” in Nigeria and “kazi ya majuu” in Kenya, reflects a shift in aspirations and perceptions of success.
Graduates often view staying abroad as a sign of achievement rather than failure. This mindset is reinforced by declining economic conditions at home, security concerns, and the pursuit of a more stable future. Many graduates feel less stressed in their host countries and see no immediate reason to return.
Social and Emotional Considerations
Emotional and cultural attachments also influence the decision to return. Bonds with family, cultural familiarity, and a sense of national identity can make returning appealing. However, the concept of “home” is fluid and often redefined through experiences abroad.
Social and professional networks play a critical role in either staying or returning. Strong ties to peers, mentors, or employers in the home country can ease the transition and improve employment prospects upon return. Participation in academic and scientific collaboration networks can also create incentives to return.
The Future of Migration
Despite the lack of direct solutions provided by the researchers, the study offers valuable insights into the decision-making processes of African international students. The findings suggest that migration patterns will continue to be varied, with movements in and out of Africa likely to persist.
As global economic and social dynamics evolve, the choices of African graduates will remain influenced by a combination of personal, social, and economic factors. Understanding these complexities is essential for developing policies that support sustainable migration and development.
