International Students’ Academic and Social Integration Stories

Abstract

This research report has the purpose to inform the audience about the methodological qualitative part of a study being conducted in a Hungarian university. In the last decade the Hungarian government has created opportunities for internationals to fit into the internationalization trend in education. Following these initiatives through the lens of the students is a convenient form to understand the impact of its application. The university where the study is conducted has a good reputation and of preference for international prospect students, becoming the ideal spot to research about the process of integration of international students in two aspects, academic and social. The understanding of this thematic required information collected through qualitative interviews which were conducted with students from different faculties, countries, majors, and levels of study. The findings revealed that students are satisfied in terms of social integration and gaps are found to fulfill their academic integration. The information is a relevant and important source of input for educational organizations in Hungary which are working continuously to increase the enrollment of international students, especially in the pandemic situation.