Dynamics of Indonesian Student Migration: The Intention to Return Home the First Wave of Covid-19 Uncertainty

Inayah Hidayati, BRIN - National Research and Innovation Agency

In this research, we delve into the intentions and experiences of Indonesian student migrants as they navigated the challenges of returning home during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study employs a blend of research methods to shed light on the situation, specifically focusing on students who finished their studies and were dealing with expiring residence permits in 2020. The outcomes of our investigation highlight the notable impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the decisions surrounding return migration. Many student migrants postponed their plans to return due to favourable circumstances in their current country of residence. Although 46.4% of participants initially intended to replace them, approximately 19.8% had to change their plans due to difficulties brought about by the pandemic. Interestingly, it revealed that most student migrants preferred staying in their current country of residence. Although the primary reason for wanting to return was to complete their studies, the pandemic introduced temporary barriers like concerns over safety and health, leading to delays in their plans. Our study sheds light on the complexities of return migration decisions for Indonesian students during the uncertain times of the pandemic and provides valuable insights for policy considerations.

Keywords: International Migration, Population, Shocks and Pandemics, Spatial Demography, Human Capital, Education, and Work

See extended abstract.