In spite of Bologna: Working-class children less likely to study abroad
German students whose parents do not have a university education are still less likely to study abroad, compared to fellow students from the professional classes. In time for the Bologna follow-up conference on April 26-27 in Bucharest, a study conducted by educational sociologist Claudia Finger shows that in spite of European educational reforms, neither regional mobility nor social permeability has increased.
In 1997, before the Bologna reforms, the number of mobile students from families from the professional classes was, according to Finger’s calculations, 14 percent; a solid 3 percent higher than children from working-class families. Since 2006, this margin has increased by almost 6 percent. Whereas the quota of professional-class children studying abroad increased to a consistently modest 16 percent, working-class children are represented with 10 percent, which is even less mobility than in 1997.