THE ACADEMIC MOBILITY LIMITATIONS THAT ARGENTINA, BRASIL, CHILE, COLUMBIA, MÉXICO AND PERU STUDENTS HAVE

The research objective was “To comparatively analyse the limitations of postgraduate students, in countries as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Mexico y Peru, which could obstruct their selection of a postgraduate program on Latin American higher educational institutions.”

The present study is exploratory and descriptive, based on a review of articles and the application of field surveys. The limitations were defined as the type of perception and degree of knowledge that the postgraduate students in the aforementioned countries have about academic mobility, economy and education.

Results. - A high percentage of students in all the countries included is poorly informed in respect to the postgraduate programs offered in other Latin American institutions of higher learning. Few students don’t know the names of the most important institutions in such countries.

The great majority of students dont know what academic mobility is, what its benefits are, or where they could carry it out. However, a high percentage of Mexican students would like to study in Argentina, and Argentinian students in Mexico.

Conclusion. - In spite of the efforts made by the institutions of the different countries, the students lack information about the programs of academic mobility and their qualities and benefits, which represents an important obstacle for Latin American integration through postgraduate studies.

Proposal. - To create a national information system in each country about academic mobility, in which the academic interchanges would be registered, whether they be able to study a language, partial or complete courses of a bachelors, masters or doctorate degree.