What Makes People Stay: Exploring the Dynamic Relationship Between Place Attachment, Home, and Identity Among International Students in Padova

This thesis explores the dynamic interplay of place attachment, home, and identity among international students at the University of Padova, investigating how these elements influence students' intentions to remain in or leave their current place of study. A qualitative approach, grounded in semi-structured interviews and analyzed through the software ATLAS.ti, enables a nuanced understanding of the emotional, social, and spatial dimensions that shape students' experiences of migration. Findings reveal complex attachments to both Padova and students’ countries of origin, with various factors – including social support, identity negotiation, and barriers – impacting participants' place attachment. The analyses of word frequencies, co-occurrences, and networks highlight that while place attachment can foster intentions to stay, it is not necessarily decisive; economic opportunities and social integration also play significant roles. By shedding light on the often-overlooked emotional and psychological challenges faced by internationally mobile students, this research contributes valuable insights for policymakers and educational institutions aiming to support this growing demographic.