A0594
Title: Identifying exchange patterns in Erasmus+ mobility
Authors: Kristijan Breznik - International School for Social and Business Studies (Slovenia) [presenting]
Giarncarlo Ragozini - Federico II University of Naples (Italy)
Marialuisa Restaino - University of Salerno (Italy)
Maria Prosperina Vitale - University of Salerno (Italy)
Abstract: The international flow of students across countries has increased over the years. It has become important for higher education institutions to analyze these flows and understand the main characteristics of student mobility trajectories involved in international exchange programs. Data from the European Union open data portal is used, and the focus is on identifying highly connected countries and institutions. Specifically, using a network analytic approach, the aim is to determine whether cooperation patterns exist among European countries and higher education institutions, with some of them potentially considered as leading actors of international exchange. A significant part of the analysis revolves around the concept of the rich-club phenomenon. This concept refers to the tendency of highly connected nodes within a network to form tightly connected groups, which in the context translates to certain institutions becoming central hubs of student mobility. By testing for the rich-club phenomenon in the network of institutions involved in Erasmus and Erasmus+ mobilities, the purpose is to uncover whether a select group of institutions dominates the international student exchange community. Findings on the presence and implications of rich club structures can provide valuable insights into the dynamics of international cooperation in higher education.
