Fernandes, Joana M.S.R.Esteves, Salete2026-02-102026-02-102023Fernandes, J.; Esteves, S. (2023). Regional impacts of foreign students: A case study. In Proceedings of the 17th Annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference (INTED2023). Valência: IATED Academy. p. 8612–8619 ISBN: 978-84-09-49026-4978-84-09-49026-42340-1079http://hdl.handle.net/10198/35703Internationalization is currently an essential element of higher education. In the coming years, higher education institutions are expected to globalize and, therefore, internationalization as a trend is expected to maintain accelerated growth. One of the most important indicators of internationalization in higher education is student mobility, centred on students going to study outside their country of origin. In this regard, this case study characterizes the good practices of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB) and focuses on the attraction and retention of foreign students and their respective influence in the region. The region where the IPB conducts its activity, Bragança and Mirandela, is characterized as one of the most depopulated and economically depressed in the country. This case is not only presented as a real example of the potential reversal of the consequences of the depopulation of a disadvantaged region, stimulating the existing regional economy and allowing the creation of new businesses, it is also a case of success in the integration of students of various nationalities who share their culture, create networks of knowledge and friendships, which subsequently have a positive effect on political, social, cultural and commercial relations between countries. The presence of these students has a strong effect for the region and so the necessary conditions, whether for attraction during the instruction period or for retaining qualified labour after graduation, must be assured.engForeign studentsRegional impactStudent integrationCultural pluralityKnowledge networksconference proceedings10.21125/inted.2023.2391