Outcomes:
1) Students who apply for study abroad scholarships have a different habitus syndrome.
2) Students not belonging to this habitus group self-select in advance by applying less frequently.
3) The habitus type is characterized by three dimensions: (a) the desire for personality development, individuality and self-determination, (b) showing self-efficacy and optimism about the future, and (c) using situative strategies for action to cope with unforeseen challenges.
Description:
In Germany, students with high social background are more likely to receive study abroad scholarships as students of lower social origin. These increasing disparities are problematic as they reinforce social inequalities in higher education. Previous studies have shown that subjective goals, such as personal development and individual maturity, increase the intention to take a study-related stay abroad. However, scholars have hitherto failed to examine whether this also applies to applications for study abroad scholarships.
In my contribution, I therefore present my research on the determinants of applying for study abroad scholarships. The study presents insights from the socialization and dispositions of students at Leibniz University Hannover in Germany and compares the attitudes and lifestyles of applicants with those of students who do not apply.
In an exploratory sequential design, elements of qualitative as well as quantitative social research were used. Initially, I conducted qualitative interviews with three students from Leibniz University Hannover who had applied for study abroad scholarships. I used the method of Habitushermeneutics, which follows Bourdieu's habitus theory, to evaluate their responses. Based on previous milieu analyses of students in Hannover, I generated a habitus type by examining the perception, thought and action schemata of these students. To gain more general insights and examine possible regularities, I then supplemented the qualitative study with a standardized survey. Based on the qualitative interviews, I developed a range of statements to capture conformity with the habitus type (two to five statements for each dimension of habitus). The data was analysed using logistic regression (N=172). This allowed for comparing the ways of thinking of the students who intended to apply for study abroad scholarships with those of students who did not.
Ways of engaging the audience:
The audience will be engaged in the presentation and made aware of the research topic through a short survey via the Mentimeter tool. The survey refers to the participants’ own experiences with studying abroad. After a brief discussion of the mindsets of students who apply for study abroad scholarships, I will present the results of the study and reflect on the methodological approach.
