Stuck Inside of Oslo with the Spanish Blues Again. A case Study of post-2008 Spanish master students at the University of Oslo

Abstract

This thesis focuses on how Spanish graduates have been affected by these changes, their country being among the most heavily hit by the crisis. Drawing upon empirical evidence from Eurostat and INE plus a strong theoretical background, the thesis highlights the mobility/migration process experienced by youngsters nowadays -especially those from countries where unemployment rates are high- and how it affects the graduate’s life. Norway was selected as a country of destination, and seven interviews were conducted to Spanish graduates from the University of Oslo in order to analyze qualitatively their migrant experience. Self-defined migrants, they see this episode in their lives not as voluntary as political leaders claim, neither as pleasant. Besides, none of them see Spain as a short term destination although statistics show that the country has improved its situation since 2013. The work concludes by suggesting the authorities of higher education institutions to enhance recruitment among Spanish students given that, despite the growth of the Spanish community in Norway (ten times bigger in the last ten years), the number of graduate students who attend a master program at the most important Norwegian university has remained very low over the last decade.