No student should be held back by their mental health, but recent reports suggest a three-fold increase in mental health problems among UK university students in the past six years. For international students, there are unique circumstances that can pose a risk to mental well-being: moving to another country and adjusting to a new education system can be an overwhelming experience.
Like domestic students, international students face issues such as homesickness, self-doubt, financial worries and exam stress, but international students deal with these issues in an unfamiliar environment, communicating in their second or third language and lacking daily support system. had back home.
Now the added pressure from UK policymakers to place international students at the center of the immigration debate, and to limit or cancel the right for postgraduate international students to move next year with their partner or children, is raising concerns about the mental health of international students.
Comprehensive mental health support tailored to the needs of international students will help them flourish during their academic journey. Recognizing and understanding the specific issues of international students can help inform supportive actions to be taken.
Immigration conundrum
Political instability, policy shifts, anti-immigration rhetoric and campaigns to undermine the quality of UK higher education contribute to an unwelcome narrative for international students that can cause doubt and discomfort during application, study and post-graduate employment.
Statistics from Quacquarelli Symonds show that 25% of prospective international students are exploring alternative study destinations due to changes in UK policy. This underlines the negative impact on students and the UK’s status as a preferred study destination.
Additionally, the inability to bring family or dependents while studying abroad can prevent students from thriving in a new environment or persuade them to take their talents elsewhere. Although it was usually only a minority of international graduate students who brought dependents, the potential consequences of living abroad on the mental health of children and partners are clear.
Creating a welcoming destination for international students in the UK will help overcome pre-arrival nerves and provide students with stability during their studies.
The importance of belonging
Travel providers, universities and students themselves are increasingly recognizing the vital role that a sense of belonging plays in managing student well-being and success during a student journey.
Creating meaningful connections for international students with each other, their home peers, new communities and environments helps students feel grounded and supported.
Clubs, societies, sports, religious groups, volunteering and other activities with local impact can stimulate team spirit, purpose, reward, recognition and connection to place. This may take on increased significance for international students separated from their partners and family members, with research showing that loneliness can have a direct impact on engagement levels and can significantly hinder academic performance.
Proactive measures to promote a sense of belonging among international students can start at the beginning of the student journey.
Provide international students with the information they need in a timely and concise manner prior to arrival.
Make the most of induction week as a critical time to lay the foundation for a supportive and inclusive community.
Focus on key topics such as safety, mental wellbeing, online safety, access to healthcare, homesickness, mental health awareness, orientation, enrichment programs and where to go for help and advice.
Understanding cultural differences
Promoting the mental well-being of international students requires an understanding of how mental health is perceived around the world.
Although discussions about mental health are becoming more common, some international students may be part of cultures where discussing mental health remains taboo. The impact of stigma, which varies across cultures, can either encourage or discourage an individual from seeking help.
Being clear about confidentiality and sensitively acknowledging and respecting cultural diversity will help break down taboos when needed and support the diverse mental health needs of international students.
Making a range of support options available and providing it in a way that suits individual needs can create an open and friendly environment. Group workshops and regular meetings are useful spaces where students can connect with their peers or, for those who may not feel comfortable in a group setting, receive one-on-one assistance.
Supporting students to thrive
Mental wellbeing challenges exist for all students, with international students requiring support for some risks specific to their situation.
Whether domestic or international, students are an integral part of the fabric of the UK. All students have the right to an academic journey that enriches and satisfies them.
However, the rhetoric of political factions in the UK government and the resulting international perception of an inhospitable environment is undermining those in global education who strive to provide a seamless and deeply rewarding experience for their international students.