International Academic Mobility and Human Capital Development: Evidence from Erasmus Students in an European Higher Education Institution

Abstract

International academic mobility has become a strategic instrument for higher education institutions seeking to strengthen internationalisation, enhance student development, and improve institutional competitiveness. Beyond its educational dimension, Erasmus mobility also generates tourism flows, positioning international students as academic tourists who contribute to the economic, cultural, and social development of host destinations. Despite its growing relevance, limited research has examined international mobility simultaneously from the perspectives of higher education management, human capital development, and academic tourism. This study investigates how Erasmus students’ motivations, mobility experiences, and competency development influence overall satisfaction and destination loyalty. A quantitative research design was adopted using survey data collected from 74 Erasmus students who completed a mobility period at the Pan-European University in Bratislava, Slovakia. Data were analysed through descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. The findings indicate that students’ motivations positively influence the quality of the mobility experience, which subsequently contributes to higher levels of satisfaction. Participation in the Erasmus programme promotes the development of important transversal competencies, particularly communication, intercultural, social, and language skills, reinforcing the contribution of international mobility to human capital development. The results also demonstrate that satisfied students are more likely to recommend the host destination, although satisfaction does not significantly influence revisit intention. This study contributes to the literature by integrating perspectives from higher education management, academic tourism, and human capital theory. It highlights the strategic role of international mobility programmes in enhancing student competencies, strengthening institutional attractiveness, and promoting host destinations through students acting as informal ambassadors. The findings provide practical implications for higher education institutions and destination managers seeking to design mobility strategies that maximise educational, institutional, and territorial value creation.