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The motives of Ukrainians to study at czech universities and economic consequences of this student migration
Posnova, Alina
In the last several decades numerous factors have precipitated to propel Czech Republic as a net immigration country. More recently though, there has been an increase in anti-migration sentiments amongst Czech Nationals, yet this does not seem to have affected immigration in the Czech Republic. Factors like the fall of communism, reembracing democracy and joining the European Union corresponded with a rise of immigration in the Czech Republic. Students from Ukraine – a non-EU country – have found Czech Republic as a great place to pursue their university studies. Currently there are an estimated 3082 Ukrainian students studying in the Czech Republic. This is amongst the highest number of students from third national countries. The purpose of this research was to find out the factors that motivate Ukrainian students to choose to study in the Czech Republic and what effect this has on the economy of the Czech Republic. Using a questionnaire administered via a nonprobability sampling technique and employing quantitative research methods 100 Ukrainian students currently studying in various public universities in the Czech Republic. The study found out that the current social and economic situation in Ukraine coupled with a weak Ukrainian currency is enough motivation to push students away from the comfort of their home countries. Using basic statistical computations, the study found that the top three factors that motivate Ukrainian students to choose the Czech Republic as a destination of choice for university studies in order of importance are 1. ‘Obtaining better knowledge for a future career in the EU countries’ 2. ‘Better living conditions in the Czech Republic than in Ukraine’ and 3. ‘The desire to receive better knowledge for future career in Ukraine’. Furthermore, it was found that over 70% of current Ukrainian students in the Czech Republic may stay on after their studies and they cited their strongest motivators as ‘Better living conditions, transport means, health insurance’, ‘Higher salaries’, and ‘Greater job opportunities in my professional field’ Finally, the study found that only 13% of the respondents were currently employed whilst schooling and generalising for the entire research population contribute approximately 0.0005% of GDP with a potential to rise by a factor of 5 based on the retention levels. The current contribution of Czech students in terms of other living costs is approximately 0.012% of the Czech Republic GDP. The study concluded that Ukrainians have a positive net effect on the Czech economy and recommended that retention of Ukrainian students beyond their studies should be encouraged.
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