What is it about?
This study looks at how the COVID-19 impacted international students living and studying in other countries, especially how it impacted their ability to connect socially and culturally in their host environments. By reviewing 56 research studies published between early 2020 and mid-2022, the authors examined how government policies, university actions, and students’ personal experiences shaped their sense of belonging and well-being during COVID-19. The findings showed that students faced isolation, discrimination, mental health struggles, and language barriers but also showed resilience and found ways to cope. The review highlights how much support from governments and universities matters during a crisis, and offers recommendations for better helping international students in the future.
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Perspectives
International students contribute significantly to the academic, cultural, and economic life of host countries. However, COVID-19 exposed how vulnerable they can be in times of crisis. Many were far from their families, cut off from support networks, and sometimes excluded from government aid. This review is important because it shows the gaps and inequalities in how different countries and universities responded. It urges policy-makers and higher education institutions to better prepare for emergencies, invest in mental health and social support, and treat international students not just as customers, but as valued members of their academic and social communities. The lessons learned from COVID-19 can help shape more compassionate and inclusive systems for future global challenges.
Dr Neslihan Onder-Ozdemir
Bursa Uludağ University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The impact of COVID-19 on the social and cultural integration of international students: a literature review, Comparative Migration Studies, January 2025, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1186/s40878-025-00425-3.
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