National : The landmark trans-Tasman study found that a large majority of Australian and New Zealand domestic students became much more aware of the issues faced by their international peers during the pandemic, particularly in relation to practical hardships associated with living away from home and social isolation.
Around half of domestic students surveyed said they were concerned by the challenges faced by international students.
The report also highlighted ways in which domestic students engaged their international counterparts to assist them through the pandemic. The most common forms of support offered were learning support, peer support (e.g. buddy schemes), social networking and mentoring support. This included assistance with psychosocial support, study support, and help to access material support.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, international students, like domestic students, dealt with an abrupt shift in their learning experience. Many experienced financial hardship, social isolation and uncertainty about the future, but without the same level of access to family, friends and support measures that were usually available to their local peers.
Student Voices was conducted via a two-phase research design, which included interviews with key educational stakeholders and government agencies, and a survey completed by 4,300 domestic and international students at 15 universities and five TAFE institutes in Australia and four universities in New Zealand.
“Last year was very tough for most people, in particular international students in Australia, who were among the most vulnerable groups in the community. I am proud that the Student Voices research reveals positive sentiments our domestic students have towards their international counterparts. I hope this research will encourage institutions to support and strengthen the ties between these cohorts,” IEAA President Janelle Chapman says.
“In New Zealand, we often talk about the importance of the Māori value of manaakitanga – hospitality and generosity – when it comes to hosting international students. I am very pleased to see that when times got really tough for international students in New Zealand, domestic students stepped up and demonstrated that manaakitanga,” ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson says.
“I’m proud to say that New Zealand’s inclusive, welcoming communities remain a cornerstone of the excellent student experience we provide to international students.”
As the international education sector looks to enter a post-pandemic phase of recovery, this report signals the willingness of domestic students to engage with international students more meaningfully, and the need to support greater ties between these cohorts. Institutions could consider more structured approaches to fostering peer-to-peer links to enhance the student experience for both their international and domestic students.
