Year of Publication
2026
Category
Theses
Theme
BILATERAL RELATIONS UE - LAC
Academic
Cultural
Strategic Partnerships
Abstract
This thesis examines International Student Mobility (ISM) within the framework of bi-regional relations between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), with a particular focus on Spain’s role as a bridging country. It seeks to identify the main challenges faced by ISM programmes that have limited their effectiveness in fostering closer ties between these regions. Moreover, the study explores how Spain’s position contributes to strengthening intergovernmental relations through academic mobility programmes involving LAC students.
To this end, a qualitative methodology based on interviews with former participants in these programmes was adopted. The findings indicate that a turbulent sociopolitical environment in the countries of origin, together with the search for better professional opportunities, acted as key push factors driving students to study abroad. At the same time, several pull factors influenced their decisions, including the opportunity to improve language skills and gain a broader, more global perspective. Owing to Ibero-American cultural links and relatively accessible administrative procedures, Spain emerged as the most attractive destination. The analysis further reveals that participation in these programmes improved students’ perceptions of both Spain and the EU, providing a more nuanced understanding of the region that they were able to share with their local communities, thereby contributing to stronger transnational ties.
The thesis argues that ISM constitutes an effective soft power tool that the EU can employ to engage with LAC students through Spain and to foster bi-regional networks, a strategy that is particularly relevant in a context where emerging actors such as China and Russia are increasing their presence in the region. Nevertheless, this approach also entails challenges, including the risk of brain drain and the disproportionate concentration of LAC students in Spain. In this regard, organisations such as the Erasmus Student Network and the EU–LAC Foundation play an important role in encouraging interest in Latin America and the Caribbean across all EU Member States and in promoting a more balanced distribution of student mobility.
Overall, this research contributes to the literature on the internationalisation of higher education by offering insights into mobility programmes between Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean, and by highlighting their potential as a EU strategy for strengthening relations with the region in an increasingly complex global context.
Keywords: International Student Mobility, EU-LAC relations, Spain, Ibero-America, student migration, intercultural exchange, educational diplomacy, transnational networks.
To this end, a qualitative methodology based on interviews with former participants in these programmes was adopted. The findings indicate that a turbulent sociopolitical environment in the countries of origin, together with the search for better professional opportunities, acted as key push factors driving students to study abroad. At the same time, several pull factors influenced their decisions, including the opportunity to improve language skills and gain a broader, more global perspective. Owing to Ibero-American cultural links and relatively accessible administrative procedures, Spain emerged as the most attractive destination. The analysis further reveals that participation in these programmes improved students’ perceptions of both Spain and the EU, providing a more nuanced understanding of the region that they were able to share with their local communities, thereby contributing to stronger transnational ties.
The thesis argues that ISM constitutes an effective soft power tool that the EU can employ to engage with LAC students through Spain and to foster bi-regional networks, a strategy that is particularly relevant in a context where emerging actors such as China and Russia are increasing their presence in the region. Nevertheless, this approach also entails challenges, including the risk of brain drain and the disproportionate concentration of LAC students in Spain. In this regard, organisations such as the Erasmus Student Network and the EU–LAC Foundation play an important role in encouraging interest in Latin America and the Caribbean across all EU Member States and in promoting a more balanced distribution of student mobility.
Overall, this research contributes to the literature on the internationalisation of higher education by offering insights into mobility programmes between Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean, and by highlighting their potential as a EU strategy for strengthening relations with the region in an increasingly complex global context.
Keywords: International Student Mobility, EU-LAC relations, Spain, Ibero-America, student migration, intercultural exchange, educational diplomacy, transnational networks.
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