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Applying the motivation-opportunity-ability model to regional student mobility in Central AsiaThis study analytically distinguishes between motivation, opportunity, and ability (MOA) factors to study the decision-making process regarding international student mobility in its modern configuration. To do so, we use primary data from an online questionnaire submitted to former students from five Central Asian countries (Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan), who all studied at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. We also conducted around ten semi-structured interviews. The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis of a significant variation in the role of each factor in the decision to study abroad across five nationalities. Our findings show minimal cross-country differences. The main differences remain modest in scale and are threefold: Tajik respondents prioritize physical opportunities and mobility capital within the ability factor; Turkmen respondents emphasize the role of limited university opportunities and imagined experience; and Uzbek respondents are the most intrinsically motivated when deciding to study abroad.