What’s in it for us? Boosting social inclusion through international students’ mobilities into higher institutions in the GCC

Abstract

[EN] This study investigates social inclusion as the catalyst in promoting international student mobilities across diverse countries who opt to study in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Against this backdrop, the study highlights the importance of social inclusion as a language-learning mechanism relevant for Arabic and non-Arabic speakers within formal educational contexts. This study seeks to highlight in themes: (1) the influx of international students as the GCC positions itself as a hub for diversity and opportunities and (2) the salient factors that influence the preferences of international university students to study in the GCC. The study relies on different Higher Education Councils’ (HECs) open data to decipher the inclusiveness of international students as a win-win mechanism for social inclusion, language exchange, and possible career opportunities. The findings seem to shed light on the importance of building cooperative interculturality, inclusivity, and opportunities among diverse GCC HEIs stakeholders.