The present article discusses the drawbacks in strategic planning of higher education internationalization on the meso level (universities) in Armenia and possible impact of internationalization strategy development on the macro level (national). It seeks to identify the major issues and outlines some recommendations for further planning and performance improvements in higher education internationalization. Thereby, it draws upon the findings of survey and study conducted within the framework of Erasmus + HARMONY project on the level of internationalization, research and innovation of higher education in Armenia.

The increase of international student mobility for many countries is a significant opportunity and for some it might become a weakness, if the development is not addressed wisely by policy makers. There is a trend of one way mobility flows from smaller, economically less developed to more developed countries, which might put the formers under the risk of brain drain. This is especially risky for the relatively smaller developing countries (e.g. Armenia), where on the one hand the development of human capital and global integration is vital and on the other hand the drain of skilled human resources hinders the economic development. Concrete policy actions are vital for restructuring the mobility flow and ensuring the reality of brain circulation. By clarifying the major pushing and pulling factors influencing the decision of Armenian students to seek overseas education (which is the primary objective of this research paper), this study will be valuable for further policy, strategy and marketing instrument development on institutional, national and international levels. The study employed quantitative research methods using an online survey distributed among the target audience. The findings include number of pushing and pulling factors influencing on the decision of Armenian students to pursue education abroad, as well as the major obstacles hindering the mobility flow.