International Students as ‘Privileged’: Challenging the Narrative

Abstract

International students are typically described as a privileged and affluent group. This study challenges this narrative, and examines the experiences of socioeconomically disadvantaged international students, through an exploratory mixed-methods study. To date, there has been limited empirical work recognising heterogeneity in the socioeconomic backgrounds of international students. This paper reports on the quantitative scoping exercise of a self-report questionnaire undertaken by 102 international students studying at UK universities, with 37 per cent identifying as ‘working-class’. The findings indicated that international students identifying as ‘working-class’ were more likely to be undertaking paid employment with longer hours in comparison to their middle-class counterparts. Moreover, ‘satisfaction with life’ and ‘support networks’ were considerably lower for those reporting socio-economic disadvantage. This study has highlighted a lacuna in the international student research literature. Furthermore, the findings indicate universities need to revisit the nexus of research on disadvantaged ‘home’ students and cultural adjustment models to ensure suitable support structures are offered to this under-researched group of international students.