In 2022, Eurostat reported that 1.66 million students from abroad were studying at tertiary-level institutions across the EU, coming from both EU and non-EU countries. Among them, students like Rim from Lebanon, Bia from Brazil, and Lucrezia from Italy shared their experiences studying in various countries like Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. Germany was the most popular destination, attracting the highest number of international students, followed by France and the Netherlands.
Luxembourg had the highest relative proportion of foreign students, while Italy, Spain, Croatia, and Greece had a lower percentage. Shadiya from India studying in Milan and Mila from Bulgaria studying in Brussels highlighted the challenges of racism, administrative hurdles, and language barriers faced by international students. The most common fields of study for foreign students included business, administration, law, engineering, and health and welfare.
The origin of students from abroad varied, with 43% from Europe, 25% from Asia, and 17% from Africa. Students like Auden from Malaysia and Andrea from Ivory Coast shared their experiences studying in countries like Sweden and France. Different countries had varying trends in the origin of international students, with significant numbers coming from Asia in countries like Cyprus, Ireland, Latvia, Hungary, and Finland.
Credit-mobile graduates from EU countries, who studied abroad for at least three months for programs like Erasmus, numbered around 390,000 in 2022. France had the highest number of credit-mobile graduates, followed by Germany and Italy. Countries like Spain, the UK, and the US were popular destinations for short-term study abroad programs. Students like Charlotte from France and Jennifer from Madagascar shared their experiences studying in Sweden and Scotland, respectively.
Overall, students emphasized the benefits of studying abroad in terms of personal growth, career opportunities, and cultural experiences. They also highlighted the challenges faced, such as language barriers, administrative hurdles, and finding affordable accommodation. Despite these obstacles, many students found study abroad to be a rewarding experience that expanded their horizons and provided new opportunities for their future careers.
