A Bourdieusian Perspective on Aruban Student Mobility : How Aruban students choose to become mobile through the Erasmus + program

Sammanfattning: Student mobility in the Caribbean, especially the Dutch Caribbean, is under researched. Therefore, this thesis seeks to fill this gap by studying the student mobility of Aruban students atthe University of Aruba. In this present study, Bourdieu’s sociological concepts of habitus, fieldand capital will aid in examining how the economic, social and cultural capital of Aruban students influences their student mobility through the Erasmus + program offered by the University of Aruba. To study this, a multi-method approach was used, namely the text analysis of the University website and policy documents, and an online survey. A multi-method approach will aid in delivering a complete picture of the expectations of the University of Aruba has fortheir students, as well as the lived experiences of the Aruban students. This study suggests that all forms of capital play an influential role in the Aruban student’s mobility. Economic capital plays a crucial role in their choice to move abroad and their motive to do so. Their social assets positively influence their mobility as well as their experiences abroad. Lastly, students’ cultural resources play an influential role in their choice, their expectations, and experiences, however it can also be a crucial barrier to their mobility. While the university promotes equal opportunities, these results indicate otherwise and might suggest that the university revise their selection process to offer students from all opportunities genuineequal opportunities.