Inclusion and Wellbeing in Higher Education: Addressing Loneliness among International Students in the UK and Japan
- Polina Ivanova, University of Bremen
Inclusion and wellbeing are increasingly recognised as critical components of equitable and supportive higher education environments, yet loneliness remains an overlooked issue, particularly for international students. While the United Kingdom (since 2018) and Japan (since 2021) are the only countries to appoint ministers of loneliness, their policies largely focus on local citizens, neglecting foreign residents, such as international students. As newcomers and outsiders, international students often lack social connections in the host society, particularly beyond their university or age group. Given the established link between loneliness and mental health challenges, physical health issues, dropout, and suicidal ideation, addressing loneliness is vital for the wellbeing and inclusion of international students.
This talk presents findings from a comparative study exploring how international students in the UK and Japan experience and cope with loneliness. The research is based on semi-structured interviews and an online survey conducted with international students in both countries. Findings suggest that while personality traits such as introversion or high sensitivity can exacerbate loneliness, it is often triggered by broader societal issues, including harassment, discrimination, and racism. The findings also show gender differences in how international students experience loneliness and discrimination. Addressing loneliness among international students requires not only individual-level interventions but also institutional and policy-level changes that foster inclusive environments and reduce structural barriers to social integration.
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Polina Ivanova is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bremen. Her research interests lie in the areas of international higher education, civil society, and migrant wellbeing. Her recent publications include ‘Civil society and international students in Japan: The making of social capital’ (Routledge, 2023) and ‘Refugees and asylum seekers in East Asia: Perspectives from Japan and Taiwan’ (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024; co-edited with Dr Lara Momesso). She is currently exploring loneliness among international students and highly skilled migrants.
