What keeps Wits University international graduates in Johannesburg? A case study of Braamfontein

Abstract

International graduates often make the decision to stay in the country they carried their studies (host country), which is a common occurrence in developed countries. However this trend is also spreading to developing countries such as South Africa. Viewing this from an optimistic perspective, it can serve as an advantage to the host country, since migrant graduates may possess skills they may use to contribute to the country. The study investigates the reasons international graduates stay in Johannesburg after graduation. However the decision to stay in Johannesburg came along with challenges which frustrated the migrant graduates’ efforts and plans. The key themes that emerged from the study were the following: pathway creation to employment, need for affiliation and oikophobia (fear of the familiar). In order to collect information from the interview participants, and to analyse it, qualitative research methods were employed. The discussion is framed through life-course theory based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour.