An Exploration of the International Student's Experiences Coming to Study in One of the UK Universities

                                               Abstract

This paper aims to examine circumstances surrounding undergraduate students’ coming from different countries to study in the UK. International students who moved to study in the University of Cumbria participated in the study, using data obtained from online survey making use of open-ended questionnaires. Questions explored the mediating variables which impact place attachment and place identity following the move away from home. Correspondingly, this study tried by making sense of the sense participants made of the changes in their socio-cultural environment, problems encountered and challenges associated with such changes, and how these impacted self-evaluations and self-perceptions. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was utilised to analyse data from five participants. Two main themes were identified: ‘‘place attachment and place identity’’, reflecting difficulties surrounding the process of adaptation and development of identity in a new environment; and adaptation and reconnection, reflecting evolving sense of detachment with home land and ensuing changes in the relations with home people. Discussion highlighted findings in relation to effects participants’ experiences have had on their sense of purpose, perspective, identity, and place attachment