How International University Students Live in Turin: An Analysis of Locational Preferences and Urban Experiences

Universities are globally playing an increasingly important role for today’s societies. This phenomenon underscores the significance of understanding the relationship between cities and higher education institutions (HEIs). Such an understanding also highlights the connection between students and the urban environment. Notably, international university students have been found to have a distinctive role in the city. This master’s thesis investigates the relationship between international university students and urban environments, particularly their locational preferences and movements within the city. The approaches found in the existing literature often omit international student’s perspectives in terms of how they perceive and interact with the urban environment. This raises questions such as, how do international university students navigate, perceive and interact with the urban environment? Which elements of the city are the most significant in shaping their locational preferences in their daily lives? What currently non-existing urban features this user group would look for? In what ways and with which roles do international university students contribute to the urban environments they use on a daily basis? The thesis focuses on the perspective of international university students in Turin, Italy - home to two major international universities: University of Turin and Polytechnic University of Turin. This thesis employs a qualitative methodology using two primary tools: an online survey and semi-structured interviews. The data collected reveal areas of the city that students find easier to navigate and interact with more frequently. Furthermore, the results provide insights into students' perceptions of the city and the factors influencing their preferences for certain locations. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how international university students experience, perceive, and influence urban environments. They offer valuable insights for future research and initiatives aimed at fostering more inclusive and engaging cities.