The Second Dividend of Studying Abroad: The Impact of International Student Mobility on Academic Performance

cege Discussion Papers No. 215

28 Pages Posted: 25 Sep 2014

See all articles by Johannes Meya

Johannes Meya

University of Goettingen (Göttingen)

Katharina Suntheim

University of Goettingen (Göttingen)

Date Written: September 25, 2014

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of studying abroad on students’ success at university. Using an extensive dataset, propensity score matching is applied to account for possible self-selection into international mobility. Our empirical analysis suggests that a temporary study-related visit abroad significantly improves the final university grade, thus granting a second dividend in addition to personal experience. However, it seems that this effect is mainly driven by selective transferring of grades. Moreover, the study shows that a sojourn reduces the probability of finishing studies within the standard time period, suggesting that this dividend comes at a cost.

Keywords: Tertiary education, international student mobility, academic performance, grade point average, propensity score matching

JEL Classification: I21, J61, J11

Suggested Citation

Meya, Johannes and Suntheim, Katharina, The Second Dividend of Studying Abroad: The Impact of International Student Mobility on Academic Performance (September 25, 2014). cege Discussion Papers No. 215, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2501317 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2501317

Johannes Meya (Contact Author)

University of Goettingen (Göttingen) ( email )

Platz der Gottinger Sieben 3
Gottingen, D-37073
Germany

Katharina Suntheim

University of Goettingen (Göttingen) ( email )

Platz der Gottinger Sieben 3
Gottingen, D-37073
Germany

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