Discussion and Conclusion

Overall, the study has demonstrated the great potential of international student migration and the work of KAAD in development cooperation. The study has shown that international students contribute to the development of their country of origin in many different ways. The transfer of knowledge and ideas is certainly one of the most important ways in which (former) international students contribute to development in their countries of origin. As we have seen, they often also act as multipliers: as researchers they introduce new research and teaching methods and pass them on to their students, as doctors they invite colleagues from their countries of origin to Germany and train them here, as entrepreneurs they break new grounds and create new jobs for their fellow citizens. In addition, alumni also contribute to the development in Germany, in the economy, in the health sector or in the university system.