Features of Choosing a Country and University by Educational Migrants (on the Example of SFedU Foreign Students)

Objective of the study is the analysis of the main motives for choosing a university and specialty by foreign students studying at the Southern Federal University, as well as their assessments of employment prospects with a SFedU diploma. The methodological basis of the research is presented by empirical data of the sociological research project of the South-Russian branch of FCTAS RAS, implemented in 2021. The research method is a questionnaire survey of students and postgraduates of universities in the South of Russia, including SFedU.   Research results. The main results of the survey of foreign students of the Southern Federal University allow us to identify the main motives that guide young foreigners when choosing a university for higher education. It is revealed that representatives of other states choose first of all a country and a university in which they will be able to receive a high-quality professional education, as well as find a job with a diploma of this educational institution. Also, a very significant motive for choosing Russia for higher education is the desire of young foreigners to study another culture. The differentiation of motives for choosing a university depending on the group of countries that the respondents represent is studied. The level of satisfaction of foreign students of SFedU with the choice of university and specialty is determined. The opinions of educational migrants studying at the Southern Federal University on the prospects of their further employment after graduation are analyzed.     Prospects of the study. The empirical data obtained in the course of the study can be used to improve the effectiveness of educational work at the university aimed at helping foreign students in adaptation.