Stepwise student migration: A trajectory analysis of Iranians moving from Turkey to Europe and North America

Abstract

In the last decade, political and economic constraints have prompted many students to leave Iran. While Europe and North America have traditionally been Iranians' preferred destinations, selective entry procedures make direct access increasingly difficult. This article focuses on Iranian students' stepwise migration strategies to reach Western countries through Turkey. My research indicates that stepwise migration theory can be applied to international students, as visa restrictions and the selectivity of Western universities transformed Turkey into a stepwise migration corridor. The article also considers the advantages of the trajectory analysis method I developed. Trajectory analysis is a longitudinal and mobile method whereby migrants are followed over time and space. It enables the researcher to compare data about migrants who move stepwise and those who move crosswise by staying in Turkey. The research is based on interviews with 36 Iranians in Turkey, Europe, and the United States, of whom 15 moved in stepwise fashion. An important outcome is that students' academic capital is a crucial indicator for their ability to migrate to the West. This finding points to path dependency in students' trajectories along a hierarchy of destinations: not only in geographical terms but also in terms of the perceived level of educational institutions' reputations.

Motivation of International Mobility of Iranian Students in Portugal

“…Nowadays, contrary to the ancient history of migration, biological motivation (biological and finding food or shelter) is not as important as other factors. Another study (Zijlstra 2020) related to the Iranian immigrants showed the overwhelming majority of the Iranians intended to move stepwise from Turkey, in the course of 5-years to Europe. Although, attending different universities significantly affect the directions of their trajectories, overall (Zijlstra 2020), which is in line with our study that shows the interest of Iranian students to Europe.…”

“…Another study (Zijlstra 2020) related to the Iranian immigrants showed the overwhelming majority of the Iranians intended to move stepwise from Turkey, in the course of 5-years to Europe. Although, attending different universities significantly affect the directions of their trajectories, overall (Zijlstra 2020), which is in line with our study that shows the interest of Iranian students to Europe. Ryazantsev, Afzali, and Rostovskaya (2020) revealed lack of facilities, political and economic relations are making talents, resources and human capitals to leave their home country.…”

“…Growing awareness of students and the fact that they have become more discriminating and demanding in their choice of destination for educational mobility become more important. The degree from top-ranking universities gives a lot of benefits to highly educated students in choosing their future (Zijlstra 2020). This led researchers to investigate what perspectives and expectations of international students consider on their choices (Nafari, Arab, and Ghaffari 2017).…”

Türki̇ye-İran Göç Si̇stemi̇: Sürekli̇li̇k Ve Deği̇şi̇mler

“…Bu artışın önemli sebeplerinden biri olarak Amerika Birleşik Devletleri güdümlü İran'a yönelik ekonomik yaptırımlarına Ahmedinejat'ın 2005-2013 yılları arasındaki cumhurbaşkanlığında İran'ın nükleer programı konusunda izlemiş olduğu politikalara Birleşmiş Milletler ile Avrupa Birliği'nin de ekonomik yaptırımlar uygulaması olmuştur (Chaichian, 2012;Mehrabi, 2014). Bu yaptırımlar sonuç olarak İran ekonomisine ciddi olumsuz etkiler getirmiş ve toplumsal rahatsızlıkların artmasına neden olarak 2009 yılında başlayan Yeşil Hareket'e dönüşmüştür (Zijlstra, 2020). Ekonomik kriz İran'daki birçok sektörü etkilediği gibi eğitim alanını da etkilemiştir.…”

“…Çalışma, lisansüstü İranlı öğrencilerin, İran'a yönelik yaptırımların Avrupa ve Kuzey Amerika ülkelerine vize edinimlerinin zorlaştırması nedeniyle Türkiye'nin en-iyi ikinci seçenek olarak seçtiklerini vurgulamaktadır (Zijlstra, 2020). Yine aynı çalışma Pierre Bourdieu'nun sermaye biçimleri kategorileştirmesinden yararlanarak, bir taraftan Koç Üniversitesi gibi vakıf üniversitelerinde eğitim alan öğrencilerin aşamalı göç (stepwise migration) biçiminde Amerika Birleşik Devletleri, Kanada ve Avrupa ülkelerine geçiş için gereken sermayeleri Türkiye'de biriktirip, Türkiye'ye güzergahlarındaki basamak taşı olarak geldikleri ve bir üst derece eğitimleri için güzergahlarına devam ettiklerini göstermektedir (Zijlstra, 2020). Öte yandan devlet üniversitelerinde lisansüstü çalışmalarını sürdürenlerin ise edindikleri Türkiye'ye entegrasyonunu kolaylaştıran sermaye ile enine göç (crosswise migration) ile daha uzun süreler Türkiye'de kaldıklarını veya İran'a geri dönüş yaptıkları ayrımı bulgusuna ulaşmaktadır (Zijlstra, 2020).…”