Mapping the terrain of international student education in tertiary settings

Abstract

This chapter presents a review of up-to-date research and practice in international student education. Research literature is mapped at the macro-, meso- and micro-levels, which respectively relate to the policies and goals of international student education, representations of international students and pedagogical approaches to engaging international students on the ground. Policies and goals of international student education are found to continuously evolve, reflecting the historical and sociocultural ethos of the times. The representations of international students have witnessed a shift from a deficit view to viewing them as agentive, resourceful and resilient. The engagement of international students on the ground has advanced as engagement has been theorised and enacted in formal and informal settings. The chapter then previews the 11 chapters which report on a variety of educational programmes and initiatives for international students in Australia, China, Japan, the USA and the UK. These studies exemplify a continuity of issues and challenges in international student education, while also highlighting the need for a coherent framework for sustainable engagement, further conversation between experienced and emerging international student education providers, and research on the impact of online learning on international student engagement.