Understanding and enhancing the academic, psychological and socio-cultural experiences of international students undertaking health and life science education courses at Monash and Warwick Universities

International students make valuable intellectual, cultural, and economic contributions to universities in the host country. However, there is a paucity of data on their lived experience and the perspectives of educators and service providers working with international students. Our project aims to address the above-mentioned evidence gaps via the following objectives: 1. To systematically review the evidence on international students’ academic, psychological, and socio-cultural experiences. 2. To explore health and life science education students’ lived experiences, sense of belonging, health, and well-being, and engagement with support services/programs at the university. 3. To explore the lived experiences of educators and service providers working with international students. 4. To develop dissemination and professional development materials. This project will provide insights into the lived experiences of international students undertaking health and life science education courses as they specifically encounter patients from diverse backgrounds; therefore, having to develop cultural sensitivity and empathy. These insights will have a direct impact on student learning and engagement through responsive cross-cultural program design/enhancement, tailored international student-centred orientation with a global perspective, student support and guidance activities outside the curriculum and strategic partnership development by deepening the existing partnerships among researchers and educators across faculties at both universities.