The SuMoS case studies show that International Relations Office (IRO) staff encounter a wide range of challenges. These include social and political factors, academic-related issues, and individual challenges linked to student motivation.
It is important to note that at the time of the case studies, each institution faced its own specific set of challenges, reflecting the diverse contexts in which mobility is managed.
Figure 1. Main challenges faced by the IRO staff
ESIEA
The International Relations team at ESIEA faces a significant workload, managing around 400 outgoing mobilities annually. A major challenge stems from the fact that international mobility is mandatory for all students, meaning not all participants are equally motivated or administratively prepared. As a result, 10–15% of mobility projects require constant corrective action to prevent failure. Additionally, a segment of students and their families relies heavily on the team to anticipate and resolve issues, reflecting the client-supplier dynamic often seen in private higher education institutions.
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Current challenges are shaped by the political situation in Serbia, where ongoing student protests and university blockades have persisted for four months. This unrest has sparked a surge in interest in outgoing mobility, surpassing the available Erasmus+ funding. Consequently, students are increasingly exploring alternative mobility options through the Ceepus program and bilateral agreements, putting additional strain on staff to find funding and manage opportunities.
University of Maribor, Faculty of Organizational Sciences
The complexity of administrative procedures remains a major challenge at UM FOV. Managing learning agreements, credit transfers and nominations involves heavy bureaucracy, inconsistent partner policies, and delays caused by varying academic calendars. The institution also faces funding limitations, with the Erasmus+ student coordinator balancing teaching duties and administrative responsibilities. Furthermore, language barriers persist: courses taught in Slovenian, coupled with English consultations, are offered as a temporary solution. Efforts to launch a full English-language programme are underway but depend on enrollment numbers.
University of Žilina, Faculty of Management Science and Informatics
At UNIZA FRI, the main challenge is the overwhelming student interest in mobility, which exceeds the university’s capacity to support all applicants. An additional complication arises from students using mobility programmes as a way to extend their studies without paying tuition fees, leading to concerns about the integrity and purpose of participation.
University of Zagreb Faculty of Organization and Informatics
For outgoing mobility, the FOI faces lengthy and exhausting administrative procedures, compounded by the absence of a unified strategic vision for internationalization across all study programmes. Moreover, student interest in mobility varies greatly depending on the programme. For incoming mobility, marketing Varaždin as an attractive destination is a struggle. Limited course offerings in English and a lack of a student network to support incoming students place a heavy burden on the small International Relations Office team, which consists of only two members.
The case studies highlight that student mobility is shaped by a wide range of complex and interlinked challenges. These include administrative burdens, funding limitations, political and social factors, as well as issues related to student motivation and support structures. Such challenges demonstrate that while the value of international mobility is widely recognized, its effective implementation requires continuous adaptation, strong institutional support and innovative solutions to ensure that mobility opportunities are accessible, sustainable, and transformative.