Exploring the Decisions of Dominican Youth to Study abroad : A Study on the Brain Drain Phenomenon in the Dominican Republic
Perez Rodriguez, Andrea (2024-06-05)
Exploring the Decisions of Dominican Youth to Study abroad : A Study on the Brain Drain Phenomenon in the Dominican Republic
(05.06.2024)
Julkaisu on tekijänoikeussäännösten alainen. Teosta voi lukea ja tulostaa henkilökohtaista käyttöä varten. Käyttö kaupallisiin tarkoituksiin on kielletty.
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on:
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2024062457007
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2024062457007
Tiivistelmä
This study examines the factors that influence the decision of Dominican youth with private education to study and stay abroad. This research used a combination of the push-pull factor model and network-mediated migration theory. The push-pull model explains migration through negative "push" factors causing departure, and positive "pull" factors attracting to a new place. The network-mediated theory shows how social networks influence migration decisions and processes. By combining these theories, this research aimed to understand why Dominican youth decide to study and stay abroad, and whether they perceive their private education contributes to this choice.
A qualitative approach is used, incorporating semi-structured interviews with high school students planning to study abroad, master's students currently studying abroad, and master's students who studied abroad and now live there. A total of 11 interviews were conducted and analysed using reflective thematic analysis.
The findings reveal that the most common factors pushing Dominican youth to study abroad included lack of safety, poor quality education, societal disconnection and disappointment, and a saturated job market in their home country. On the other hand, attractive opportunities, new experiences, family ties, and superior education quality were the most common pull factors drawing them abroad. The study also identified four migrant networks that assisted the participants in the decision-making and migration process: family, friends, co-workers, and romantic partners. The family network was the most influential, providing financial aid, connections, living accommodations, and emotional support. The research found that participants did not perceive their private education as a significant influence on their decision to study abroad. However, it did function as a migrant network.
The study concludes that these push and pull factors may contribute to the brain drain phenomenon in the Dominican Republic. Most participants expressed a desire to stay abroad or were doing so at the time of the interviews. While the participants did not consciously recognize their private education as a factor influencing their decision, the broadened perspectives gained from their private education may have subtly played a role in their decision to pursue further studies abroad.
A qualitative approach is used, incorporating semi-structured interviews with high school students planning to study abroad, master's students currently studying abroad, and master's students who studied abroad and now live there. A total of 11 interviews were conducted and analysed using reflective thematic analysis.
The findings reveal that the most common factors pushing Dominican youth to study abroad included lack of safety, poor quality education, societal disconnection and disappointment, and a saturated job market in their home country. On the other hand, attractive opportunities, new experiences, family ties, and superior education quality were the most common pull factors drawing them abroad. The study also identified four migrant networks that assisted the participants in the decision-making and migration process: family, friends, co-workers, and romantic partners. The family network was the most influential, providing financial aid, connections, living accommodations, and emotional support. The research found that participants did not perceive their private education as a significant influence on their decision to study abroad. However, it did function as a migrant network.
The study concludes that these push and pull factors may contribute to the brain drain phenomenon in the Dominican Republic. Most participants expressed a desire to stay abroad or were doing so at the time of the interviews. While the participants did not consciously recognize their private education as a factor influencing their decision, the broadened perspectives gained from their private education may have subtly played a role in their decision to pursue further studies abroad.