Abstract
While integration into the European Union is one of the priorities of Georgia, internationalization of higher educational institutions and international student mobility is of a particular importance. The present paper serves exactly this purpose and outlines the preliminary assumption that gender stereotypes, cultural aspects and family traditions have a negative impact on students’ equal access to student exchange programs in Georgia. Although female students are more involved into international student exchange programs, they are at the same time facing bigger obstacles to do so. The mentioned problem refers mainly to females who cannot decide the issue of their participation in exchange programs alone, without their family’s involvement. The study revealed that the participation of female students in exchange programs especially increases year by year, while only a slight increase of the number of male students is demonstrated. The mentioned finding is in absolute coincidence with the events in Europe, where female participation has exceeded male participation long ago. In the light of the fact that this issue has never been studied before, the present paper may somewhat complement the gap in literature or build a foundation for the research in this field, as it discusses the individual factors of refusal to participate in exchange programs by female students, as well as interruptive and hindering circumstances, which in most cases come from family.
 Keywords: student mobility, higher education, gender, Georgia
Highlights
Since 2005, when Georgia joined the Bologna Process, there has been an increase in the number of programs that give students at Georgian HEIs the opportunity to obtain funding for higher education abroad
In order to further deepen the understanding of gender issues encountered in Georgia in relation to exchange programs, we sought to find out how well the gender balance between the participants in these programs is maintained and what the stakeholders themselves think about it
University officials, the Erasmus office and students agree on one issue: that gender balance among exchange program participants in Georgia is in favor of female students
Summary
Since 2005, when Georgia joined the Bologna Process, there has been an increase in the number of programs that give students at Georgian HEIs the opportunity to obtain funding for higher education abroad. The number of students interested in these opportunities or involved in the mobility process has increased. Students face a number of disruptive and hindering circumstances. The goal of the present study is to discuss and identify gender issues related to participation in exchange programs abroad. In the light of the fact that this issue has never been studied before, the present paper may somewhat complement the gap in literature or build a foundation for research in this field
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
