INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MOBILITY: MEDIATION OF TRANSNATIONAL STUDENT MOBILITY: A CASE OF UGANDAN STUDENTS IN SWEDEN

Abstract

This study examines international student mobility from Uganda to Sweden to understand how this mobility is mediated. More specifically, the study examines the use and impact of intermediaries involved in the student migration process with the aim of bridging the existing gap in the mediation of students from low developed countries to non-English speaking countries. Data was collected through unstructured in-depth interviews conducted face-to-face and through digital platforms such as Zoom due to the COVID -19 pandemic. The study used thematic analysis with the aid of Atlas Ti to analyse the data. The study's findings show that student mobility from Uganda to Sweden is highly mediated like other types of human mobility. The actors were institutions such as scholarship providers and universities as well as social networks. The former played mainly a logistical role by providing or waiving tuition fees and granting scholarships or living expenses. At the same time, the latter were involved in exchanging information with prospective students about study opportunities, helping with admissions, applying for scholarships and visas, arranging accommodation, and facilitating the integration of new students after their arrival in Sweden. In summary, the study shows that unlike student mobility from other parts of the world, especially East Asia, where agents primarily mediate student mobility, student mobility from Uganda was mainly mediated through social networks. In addition, the study shows that mediation of student mobility is only possible when students move through regular channels, so the role of mediators in this process is mainly facilitation.