International study abroad programmes: Exploring global south student perspectives, reciprocity and sustainability

ABSTRACT

This paper explores student experience, sustainability and the nature of reciprocity in the context of international student mobility programs. There is a considerable body of literature on various aspects of these programs such as educational outcomes, curriculum development, standards for practice and ethical issues. Much of the literature tends to focus on the experiences of the students and staff from the Global North and not on the experiences of those from the Global South. Some authors have highlighted the importance of maximizing the mutual benefits of international programs for all participants and to encourage some level of reciprocity as part of program-planning and delivery. To explore an example of one attempt to increase reciprocity, this small-scale qualitative study focused on the experiences of two international students from India on a short-term program to an Australian regional university. Using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to explore their experiences, we reflect on what educators can learn from the lived experience of these students and how we can further increase the level of reciprocity of these programs, thereby enhancing mutual benefit and ethical standards of international engagement.

KEYWORDS:

• International programmes
• study abroad
• reciprocity
• intercultural learning
• sustainability
• outcomes

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the generosity of the student-participants in sharing their experiences with us. The authors also acknowledge the efforts of their RCSS and CSU colleagues to facilitate this program. We sincerely thank Dr Bill Anscombe for his generous support of this program, along with staff and host-students at St Martin’s Residential College, the International Office, CSU Global and social work students at the CSU campus. The authors also appreciate the support provided by CSU’s Lila Kirilik Social Justice Fund.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Karen Bell

Karen Bell is an Associate Professor of Social Work and a Research Fellow at Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga campus, Australia). She continues to facilitate student mobility programmes for social work, human services, social science and humanities students. Her research interests centre on the philosophy of social work, gender, and international research partnerships. Karen also co-leads an Environmental and Social Justice Research Group with Heather Boetto.

Belinda Cash

Belinda Cash is a Lecturer in Social Work at Charles Sturt University (Albury campus, Australia). Since moving to academia in 2009, Belinda has pursued her teaching and research interests, which include mental health, ageing, social policy, service provision in rural areas and informal caregiving. Belinda also leads international student mobility programmes and remains actively involved in supporting students undertaking social work placements.

Heather Boetto

Heather Boetto is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga campus, Australia). She has practice experience in disability, child welfare, school social work, women's health, and private practice. Heather has maintained an interest in rural social work practice and gender, with a primary focus on ecosocial practice. Heather has also facilitated several international student mobility programmes.

Kiran Thampi

Kiran Thampi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Kalamaserry campus, India). His research interests include international social work, social audit, participatory project planning and management, participatory rural appraisal techniques, mental health of professionals and youth, and the development of communication experiments.