Educational Migration: Experiences of Female Student Migrants

Abstract

The paper aims to enlighten and break away from the general notion of migration as an unorganized sector. The Census of India captures the reasons for migration. It defines these reasons for migration as work/employment, business, education, marriage, moving after birth, moving with a household, and any other. The studies that have been done earlier talked about the socio-economic perspective of migrant women, specifically the unorganized sector’s migrant women labor. Not many studies have been done to understand the standpoint of migrant female students. Thus, this paper aims to go beyond the undiscovered aspects of migration. It would discover the barriers and hurdles these migrated female students face in the new location. The women of the current generation are more aware of their capabilities and aspirations. They are, therefore, ready to relocate wherever the best opportunities lead. In order to achieve their dreams and follow their passions, women migrate for a variety of reasons. These reasons include educational facilities, job opportunities, and income generation. Women who migrated for work and education between 2001 and 2011 grew at a rate that outpaced men who moved for similar reasons, according to an IndiaSpend analysis of Census data. Despite all the benefits and empowerment that come with women moving away for educational opportunities, they still have to navigate discrimination as they try to redefine their private and public spheres in their quest for fulfillment. Communication is essential to life, but when linguistic barriers appear, it becomes difficult and can lead to feelings of isolation. The sense of isolation is immediate when one migrates from one place to another. Similarly, one's identity is influenced by their region, culture, and religion. Given that India is a country with many different cultures and religions, even moving from one place in a state to another causes one to notice cultural differences. Learners’ experiences of education will vary depending on their psychological and physical state, their interactions with others, and broader institutional and environmental constraints. Thus, this paper examines the challenges, experiences, and burdens these female student migrants face. The paper will make use of various sets of interviews conducted with multiple female migrant participants.