MOTIVES OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO STUDY ABROAD AND THEIR MIGRATION INTENTIONS

Abstract

This article aims to explore high school students’ motives to study abroad and their migration intentions. Analysis of migration motives and intentions of high school students is an important component in understanding migration processes in modern society. The article presents the results of the research conducted within the framework of the project IRN АР25795411 «International educational migration of Kazakhstani youth: risks and solutions». A survey method was used to collect empirical data. The survey covered high school students in grades 9–11. A target sample was used, with selection criteria for gender, type of residence, grade, and type of school. The obtained empirical data indicate a stable orientation among high school students toward studying abroad, mainly in English-speaking and economically developed countries. This emphasizes the importance of both educational and socio-cultural factors in shaping the migration attitudes of high school students. Migration intentions after completing foreign education are characterized by a high degree of uncertainty. Most of the high school students surveyed admit the possibility of various scenarios being realized, and their final decision about migration depends on a complex of social, economic, and personal factors.