Change of spatial identity through international student migration

Abstract

Exploring the role and significance of space (city, university campus, student accommodation) as the new local or micro surroundings of international students gives a unique perspective on the (re)construction of their identity. This paper presents the most significant results regarding emotional attachment to the place of origin and the city of studying, as well as international students’ evaluation of the differences between the functional attributes of the place of origin and place of studying in respect of the type of housing, the organization of public transportation, public spaces and green areas, the availability of provision services, healthcare, and the sense of safety in public space. The discussion offers a parallel of research findings on the subject analysis between two groups of international students: Serbian students attending or having attended university abroad (mostly in Global North countries) and foreign students in Serbia (from the countries of Global South). In this way, the changeability of spatial identity is observed from a twofold perspective, involving our students with the experience of studying abroad as well as foreign students in Serbia, and additionally addressing the prospects of attracting foreign students in the future, which would have positive effects on our state.The Serbian version of the text is available at [https://doi.org/10.56461/ZR_2025.ISMI.06]DOI of the whole monograph publication “International student migration and identities” under the Series Empirical Research is: [https://doi.org/10.56461/ZR_2025.ISMI