Conditions Fostering International Graduate Students' Happiness and Engagement during the COVID-19 Pandemic
World Journal of Education
; 12(1):1-16, 2022.
Article
in English
| ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2057492
ABSTRACT
This paper focuses on eight conditions that kept international master's students (IMS) in a Southern Ontario university happy and engaged in their studies during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the first phase of the Appreciative Inquiry's (AI) 4-D cycle--i.e., discovery--this doctoral study conducted 14 individual interviews and three focus group discussions to identify conditions that made the IMS students happier and more engaged despite pandemic-related challenges. The study is crucial in advancing positive experiences of IMS because existing literature has focused primarily on their challenges and problems. The study's use of AI, a strength-based theoretical and methodological approach, suggests the need to highlight the quality experiences of this minoritized group. Data revealed specific factors that brought about happiness and boosted IMS engagement in their studies, namely financial and emotional support from family, responsive instructors, employment opportunities during the pandemic, and learning and engaging in extracurricular activities with colleagues and friends. Other conditions also proved crucial to participants' happiness and engagement in their studies, including professionalism of non-teaching staff, the institution's learning management system and supporting online platforms, virtual access to campus software and other learning resources, and reduced travel time. Study findings aim to inform international student policy and enrich the international student experience literature.
ERIC, Current Index to Journals in Education (CIJE); Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Teacher Behavior; Pandemics; Integrated Learning Systems; Student Attitudes; Online Courses; Employment Opportunities; Foreign Countries; Well Being; Professionalism; Graduate Students; COVID-19; Canada; Masters Programs; Family Role; Educational Technology; Parent Financial Contribution; Psychological Patterns; Paying for College; Social Support Groups; Extracurricular Activities; School Personnel
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Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
ProQuest Central
Type of study:
Qualitative research
Language:
English
Journal:
World Journal of Education
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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