Educational migration from Kazakhstan to the United States: educational and career plans of youth

Abstract

In the context of globalization, international educational migration has become an important factor in the professional mobility of young people. For Kazakhstan, this issue is particularly relevant due to the country’s integration into the international educational environment, the development of academic mobility, and the growing importance of human capital. The United States remains one of the leading destinations for international educational mobility, attracting young people through its concentration of leading universities and advanced research infrastructure. The study aims to identify the factors shaping the educational migration of Kazakhstani youth to the United States. The empirical basis of the study consists of 15 in-depth interviews with Kazakhstani students studying at U.S. universities; purposive sampling was used to select the participants. The findings indicate that university education is perceived by young people as a long-term investment in professional development and an opportunity to enter the international labor market. At the same time, education abroad is regarded as a means of acquiring advanced knowledge and professional competencies that can also be applied in the national labor market. The scientific value of the study lies in examining the gradual formation and transformation of the educational and migration strategies of Kazakhstani youth during their studies at U.S. universities. The practical significance of the findings is associated with their potential use in developing programs and measures aimed at improving mechanisms for the professional guidance and career support of Kazakhstani graduates of foreign universities.

Keywords: educational migration, education, career plans, youth, international mobility.