THE STUDENTS FROM CENTRAL ASIA IN THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN: MOTIVATION, ADAPTATION, LIFE PLANS

Nargiza Korableva

Elvina Sagdieva

Gulnara F. Gabdrakhmanova

The article presents the results of sociological research materials’ analysis of educational migration from Central Asia in the Republic of Tatarstan. A group of foreign students from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, according to statistics, is one of the most numerous and actively replenished among educational migrants in the republic. The article describes the social characteristics of this group of foreign students, stages and results of adaptation, as well as ethno-social and educational effects of educational migration from Central Asia. Factors, which motivate foreign students to pursue higher professional education in Russian universities and in Tatarstan, are formulated. The role of ethno-social factors, that play an important role in students’ motivational strategies, is studied. Educational, socio-cultural, financial, personal and other problems of educational migrants under research, are shown. The role of ethnocultural, ethno-linguistic and religious identity of students in solving their problems and in optimization of their adaptation and integration into the host society is demonstrated. In conclusion adaptation strategies of migrants from Central Asia in the Republic of Tatarstan are highlighted and manifested types of their interactions with the environment are defined. The article shows the role of intermediaries – family and closest associates, universities, educational groups, diasporas, ethnocultural organizations, in achieving the goals of educational migration and future life plans of students from Central Asia.