International mobility in higher education: students’ attitude to international credit virtual mobility programs

ABSTRACT International mobility is an integral part of higher education strategy in Europe. This action has triggered the development of the Erasmus program, the most popular scheme for student credit mobility at the European level. Although the program has generally been a success, it also endures several weaknesses, among them, the financial and social selectivity that prevents many students from participating. International credit virtual mobility (ICVM) is an alternative that facilitates mobility to a broader range of students. However, there is a lack of research that analyses students’ perspectives and attitudes to ICVM programs. This study aims to explore the students’ profiles, needs and expectations related to these mobility programs. The empirical analysis relies on a sample of over 1000 Spanish students involved in international physical and virtual credit mobility programs from 2018 to 2021.