Abstract:
The poster presents research on the well-being and socio-cultural adaptation of international students in Hungarian higher education. The aim is to support their integration and academic success, while informing academic professionals about effective institutional practices and service models.
In the autumn semester of 2023/24, 45,755 international students were enrolled at Hungarian universities. According to data from 2023, Asia became the leading sending continent, with 43% of students enrolling from there. Nearly 30% of survey respondents were from the Asia-Pacific region.
The research highlights the critical role of mental health in achieving long-term academic success. Institutions must offer preventive and intervention-based support services to maintain or restore students’ mental health. Such services can reduce dropout rates, improve academic performance and boost overall student satisfaction. The research also notes the increase in serious mental health issues during and after the pandemic, emphasizing the growing need for institutional attention.
By presenting a European case study, the poster highlights the importance of student well-being in creating positive university experiences. It encourages discussion on international best practices and promotes intercultural awareness. Audience engagement will further support the development of institutional services that better meet the evolving needs of international students.
Learning objectives:
– Explore institutional practices aimed at supporting international students’ well-being and successful integration. Through concrete examples that can ease socio-cultural adaptation.
– Identify best practices in prevention and early intervention include regular well-being monitoring and staff training
– Identify institutional support services that can help detect early signs of distress and promote resilience.
– Use empirical data -highlighting international students from the Asia-pacific region- to develop targeted student services and capacity-building programs. The findings contribute to evidence-based improvements in service design, and staff training, ensuring the support of international students throughout their academic journey.
Target audience:
– International student support staff.
– Mental health professionals in higher education.
– Researchers, professionals in multicultural and intercultural education.
– Student organization representatives and peer mentors