Non-EU International Students' Decision to Return through Labour Market Participation: A Qualitative Interview Analysis based on the Intersectionality of Nationality and Social Class

Abstract

This study investigates the subject of international student migration, which a focus on non-EU nationals who have migrated to Berlin, Germany. The study highlights a research gap and a research approach that offers an insight into international migration, focusing on student migration. Within the wide range of different perspectives on student migration, the nature of the student migration experience and how their decision to return is shaped is the main concept of this thesis. Therefore, the research question is “To what extent do the experiences of non-EU international students in the German labour market affect their decision to return?”. The research question will be narrowed down into the sub-question of “What roles do nationality and social class play regarding their experiences?”. The inquiry will be framed to explore the experiences of international students from non-EU countries and their decision to return, if applicable, to their home countries. Within this study, the intersectionality of nationality and social class and their effects are explored. The primary objectives of this study are: 1) to identify the experiences of various non-EU student nationals in the German labour market, 2) to use this experience to consider if their social class and nationality affected this experience, 3) and see if their decision to return is related to this intersectionality. The study will utilise qualitative interviews as its method.