Łukasz Sułkowski

Department of Management of Higher Education Institutions,

Institute of Public Affairs,

Jagiellonian University,

Krakow, Poland

lukasz.sulkowski@uj.edu.pl

ORCID 0000-0002-1248-2743

Cross-national and cross-cultural analysis of student motivation for mobility within the Erasmus+ programme

Roksana Ulatowska

Department of Management of Higher Education Institutions,

Institute of Public Affairs,

Jagiellonian University,

Krakow, Poland

roksana.ulatowska@uj.edu.pl

ORCID 0000-0003-3199-483X

Abstract. The aim of this article is to present the results of a study of students' motivation to participate in Erasmus+ mobility programmes. The theoretical framework was based on the Multidimensional Scale of Motivation to Study Abroad (MMSAS) and the push-pull theory. The survey included 230 respondents from Poland, Turkey, Italy, Romania, and Belgium. The results confirm the multidimensional nature of motivation, which includes both personal and academic aspects Although the comparative study reveals differences between countries, improving foreign language skills, cultural experiences and career advancements are the most important motivators for students to participate in mobility. Structural constraints still limit mobility in some countries. One of the recommendations proposes a greater adaptation of the Erasmus+ programme's promotion to regional contexts to encourage students to participate in mobility.

Received: November, 2024

1st Revision: August, 2025

Accepted: December, 2025

DOI: 10.14254/2071-8330.2025/18-4/6

JEL Classification: I23, J24, F22, O15

Keywords: Erasmus+ programme, international students’ mobility, push-pull theory, higher education internationalisation, study abroad motivations