The article is devoted to the research and analysis of the migratory moods of students of higher education institutions of Central and Eastern Europe and their temporary employment (paid work and volunteering) during studies as an important factor of their life prospects. Countries that are interested in ‘brain gain’and know their economic cost are pursuing an active and purposeful migration policy to attract highly qualified specialists from developing countries. These countries have a facade of the democratic regime, general inefficiency of economies, the decline in the level of culture and education in society, corruption, criminal capitalism, the ‘oligarchic’concept of governance, all of which become the push factors driving the migration of young people with higher and post-university education. The results of the international study are