Should I Stay or Should I Go? – Experiences of International Students During the Covid-19 Epidemic

Slovenia has recognized student mobility as a key strategic goal of higher education development. This opens up opportunities for progress but also creates challenges that were highlighted during the Covid-19 epidemic. During this crisis, international students in Slovenia were faced with the decision whether to stay or return home. The reasons why they chose to remain/depart were determined by analysing the content of the answers to the open-ended question. Students mainly stayed for per- sonal and health reasons, because of the epidemic, the accompanying measures and the pedagogical process. The reasons for leaving mainly featured psycho- social factors, the epidemic and related measures, personal reasons and access to healthcare. Due to psychosocial distress, international students experienced a great need during the epidemic for targeted support measures and especially for coordinated and accessible information.