Potential educational mobility of libaral arts students: new challenges under the conditions of internationalization of education

The article analyzes the potential educational mobility of students getting a liberal arts education. International educational mobility of students is a factor in the internationalization of higher education and the development of the global market for educational services. The number of foreign students is an indicator of the status positions of universities; in 2017, 5,3 million people studied at universities outside their homeland. The object of our study, conducted at the end of 2019, was the student youth in the city of Yekaterinburg (n = 300). A questionnaire survey was used for students (quota type of selection), studying undergraduate a liberal arts program. The research materials showed that more than half of the respondents are ready for international educational mobility and demonstrate both return and irrevocable models. The leading position in the motivational structure of educational migration is occupied by the interest in the culture and life of the host country and the desire to deepen their knowledge and expand competencies. Attractive countries for the implementation of educational intentions were the countries of Europe and the United States. Among the obstacles that reduce the possibility of implementing life plans, according to students, are insufficient financial resources, as well as a language barrier. Sustainable reproduction of family / kinship ties and relationships determines students’ desire to implement the educational trajectory in Russia.