UNPACKING THE DEVALUATION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND MOVING TOWARDS THE HUMANISATION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Abstract

The changing context of international education calls for a pressing need to challenge previous positioning of international students that is primarily driven by the discourses of essentialisation, Othering and dehumanisation of this cohort. This chapter will critically analyse the discourse related to the devaluation of international students and their experiences. It unpacks how international students are devalued through the discourse of commercialisation of international education, and essentialisation and Othering of international students. It argues for the need to draw on a framework underlining the humanisation of the international student experiences to support their academic, social and well-being needs and to fulfil institutions’ ethical responsibility towards this cohort.