Author: Jaime Ní Chinsealach, final year undergraduate psychology student Maynooth University
In a Canadian study, it was suggested that international students often felt excluded socially and structurally, with lack of integration of native and international students alongside lack of internationalization in course curriculum being a potential explanation. In an Irish context, international students are typically acknowledged as one singular group, ignoring diverse needs and backgrounds (As suggested by O’Connor in 2017 and 2020 ). This inspired the question: what could I implement in research to actively involve international students in sharing their often-overlooked experience?
Personal Reflection
For the 2023/2024 academic year, I was an international student in Spain. While I loved immersing myself in a different culture (and sunbathing for weeks on end), I also struggled to adapt socially and academically. It often felt like there was a set of unspoken rules I couldn’t keep up with, meaning there were many instances in which I felt out of place. This made me question what it means to belong as an international student. I then thought about my home institution. How do international students in Maynooth University feel? How can we amplify their voices?
I remembered my experience participating in a Photovoice study investigating the role of Youth Led Research as a Youth Advocate for Jigsaw. In Photovoice, those partaking are not simply a participant, but a participant co-researcher, acknowledging one’s contribution. From the findings being presented internally in Jigsaw, to then the International Association for Youth Mental Health, I felt like my experiences were not simply ‘noted’ but valued as a resource to inspire change. I believed Photovoice could do the same for the international students I wished to recruit for my final year thesis.
Photovoice
Photovoice, originally termed by Wang and Burris in the 1990s, is an accessible participatory action research method which aims to amplify the voices of minority or marginalized communities through photography. Members of the group one wishes to study are provided a small set of prompts and given a range of time to take photographs in relation to what they believe best reflects their opinion on the topic area. This brings subjective experiences of minority and vulnerable communities to the forefront.
My Study
My study connected to core principles of photovoice research through using an adaptable framework as proposed by Latz in 2017. I contacted various departments in Maynooth University to inform them on the research I was conducting (the international office, the Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity (EDI) Office, the VP of Welfare and Equality in the Student Union). Stages included approaching and informing international students on both the background of my study and Photovoice research. Those who wished to participate became participant co-researchers. They were encouraged to freely verbalize their own experiences in their own terms rather than what they believed they should answer. [ND3] After approximately two weeks, participant co-researchers were invited to a focus group interview where the photographs prompted conversation. Photovoice requires a reliable form of analysis to accurately depict research results. For my study, I implemented Reflexive Thematic Analysis (as proposed by Braun & Clarke) which helps you identify patterns and themes in a given dataset. This allowed me to identify the three most prominent themes present across photographs and the spoken transcript.
Theme 1: Irish Nature Fosters Exploration and Self Discovery
Nature was described as inspiring peace and belonging despite Irish nature being completely different to students’ home countries. Engaging in outdoor activities was suggested to inspire belonging while studying abroad.
Theme 2: Adjusting to Irish University Life is an Ongoing Struggle
Apart from adapting to their change in physical environment, international students faced additional struggles. Adjusting to the difference in grading practices, in addition to work schedules conflicting with opportunities to socialize, international students noted various barriers inhibiting their sense of belonging while studying abroad.
Theme 3: Connection with Friends and Community Through Traditions
From teaching friends how to cook home dishes in addition to sharing traditional festivities with others, international students generally displayed belonging when they could engage in their home culture while studying abroad. Alternatively, learning about the traditions of other international friends and engaging in general home activities with friends while abroad, inspired a sense of belonging.
Presenting The Research
Photovoice research emphasizes the importance of sharing research findings to inspire social change. While I previously shared findings to relevant stakeholders in Maynooth University in the form of a looped PowerPoint in the psychology department, I was further inspired to share my research findings to a broader audience.
The All Ireland student psychology congress is an annual event connecting postgraduate and undergraduate students across Ireland to share their research findings and network. I attended on Saturday the 25th of April and got the chance to present my research alongside multiple undergraduate students in different groups.
I have learned that using PAR methods like Photovoice is vital when conducting research on minority and/or vulnerable populations, such as international students. When we create research proposals, we seek relevant literature to rationalize a need for further investigation into the topic area. However, the results of our research mean more than addressing a gap. They have the potential to contribute to greater societal change by learning from individuals who are typically unheard.
Moving forward, I am committed to making research more accessible by using PAR methods like Photovoice. Although I personally reached out to relevant stakeholders and policy makers, I believe continuing to share the findings with bigger audiences, and investigating the impact of exhibiting photovoice results on the community, would be beneficial to see what changes have been made in response. I think this approach could help address the experiences of not only international students in Ireland, but various individuals as they adapt to emigrating abroad in Ireland.
