Abstract

STANISCIA, Barbara. The international mobility of highly skilled young Italians: Motivations, experiences and expectations. Iztapalapa. Rev. cienc. soc. humanid. [online]. 2018, vol.39, n.84, pp.49-73. ISSN 2007-9176.  https://doi.org/10.28928/revistaiztapalapa/842018/atc2/stanisciab.

The economic and financial crisis begun in 2007-2008 has witnessed an increase in the international migratory flows of young Italians, especially of the high-skilled ones. The Italian case is very peculiar since Italy is one of the OECD countries and is the fourth largest economy in the European Union. The results presented in this paper are based on indepth interviews conducted with fifteen young Italians with a university degree. The main topics addressed include: (i) personal and individual characteristics of the young migrants, (ii) main motivations and determinants of mobility decision, (iii) mobility experience, (iv) future life prospects and plans. Our research shows that the international mobility of high-skilled young Italians is due to structural and systemic factors as much as driven by psychological and cultural elements.

Keywords : International mobility and migration; Italy; high-skilled young people; economic crisis; brain drain.