Study abroad: the influence of city and university attractiveness factors

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the motivational factors, which influence students to study abroad, taking as a case study the student flows directed to the University of Coimbra in Portugal and the University of Groningen in Netherlands. The theoretical framework is complemented by a push-pull factors model of both cities and universities. The paper uses a quantitative approach based in a questionnaire survey of a sample of 507 students. The motives for studying abroad are different according to University and type of student registration. There are no significant differences between attractiveness factors of the two cities but there are significant differences when the global indexes of attractiveness of the universities are compared. This data provides empirical evidence that can be used by higher education institutions, local and central governments in the development of educational and touristic strategies.