International students and belonging — welcome and support that underpins success
By Elena Rodriguez-Falcón
The start of the academic year is a time for new beginnings. As I write here in the U.K., the autumn leaves are falling but our campuses have a sense of promise. Students arrive from across the world for induction and timetables fill up quickly. For those who have been anticipating becoming a student in a new country, it’s the start of something transformative which is not only one of academic growth but of personal discovery and growing confidence.
I remember all too well those first few weeks, when so much feels unfamiliar. For international students like I was, that often includes the language, the culture and expectations. Students need to navigate new systems, new cities and new routines. And in the midst of all this, there is something else: the need for belonging, for feeling seen.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t always feel this way. Arriving on a new country can feel anonymous and the Higher Education Policy Institute research shows how many students believe most lecturers don’t even know their name. And much more so when you may feel like holding back or when your name is difficult for others to pronounce. Homesickness can easily set in.
Which is why the early days in international education require a special kind of support and understanding. And this is an educational issue too — when students feel invisible, their confidence falls, motivation dips and learning suffers.
So I’m especially proud of the work of my colleagues in Study Group who are determined to help international students start off on the right foot. Our aim is to build bridges to a sense of belonging — human connections that make it easy to ask questions, to feel confident you are understood and that recognise initial uncertainty is normal, and which carry students from aspiration to achievement. We take a student first approach strengthened by the conviction that global education — when students have the tools to really benefit — brings us closer together, and doesn’t push us apart.
Connection from day one
From the moment you arrive, experienced tutors and support staff will convey an understanding that a student is more than a learner — each one is a person with a story and our role is to listen and learn how to best help individuals to thrive and meet their potential. Our team is ready to welcome, guide and walk alongside each student as an educational journey begins. Starting well is a vital step along this path.
Students are assigned a Personal Tutor who meets with them regularly - both one-to-one and in small groups - to help them stay on track and feel supported. These are more than academic check-ins. They’re conversations that build trust, uncover goals and sometimes offer a quiet space to say, “I’m struggling,” or “I’m proud of myself.”
Our Student Welfare team is also committed to guiding students through challenges, celebrate wins and ensure each feels part of a community. Whether it’s navigating homesickness, finding housing or simply needing someone to talk to - we’re here.
I certainly wish I’d had access to this kind of support as I began my own journey, and many of our team have also had direct experience and know what is needed. This isn’t just goodwill or hospitality - it’s necessary care. We align with higher education best practices and also listen to our students’ feedback, understanding personal tutoring is recognised as a professional discipline with clear competencies and institutional backing. That structure makes support more consistent and more effective.
We’re evidence led in our approach and research consistently shows that a sense of belonging built through relationships and inclusive practices is directly linked to the outcomes students and their families care about the most – engagement, wellbeing and academic progress.
Valerie’s story
Like many students, Valerie arrived at Cardiff International Study Centre with determination and a dream. In the beginning she says, it was the simple things that made the difference: a warm welcome, tutors who remembered her name, the support and encouragement that she received. Connor and Kate, her tutors, didn’t just teach - they listened, supported and helped her grow in confidence.
“Now I feel like I have enough confidence in myself to pursue that path,” Valerie said, reflecting on her decision to continue with a master’s and qualify as a solicitor. “I’m really grateful for everything you’ve done for me.”
Her journey came full circle when she returned to the Centre the day before graduation, reuniting with Connor and sharing her plans for the future. It was a moment of celebration and a reminder of the power of connection.
“Sometimes I thought I wouldn’t make it,” she said. “But I’d go to class and see Kate and Connor - they would always cheer me up, help me, guide me. They helped me regain the confidence I had lost in myself long ago.”
Belonging — a strong foundation for academic success
Belonging isn’t a “nice extra” in education, it’s the foundation of success. When students feel seen, they have the extra boost in confidence to ask questions, take risks and flourish.
This is the quiet work that dedicated international education supports and preparation delivers: breaking down barriers, inviting perspectives and helping each student turn their education dreams into reality. It happens in corridor chats, in shared laughter over coffee, in the moment a student realises they’re not alone. It’s the tutor who remembers your name, the welfare officer who checks in after a tough week, the person who says, “I’ve been there too.”
My own experience of international education is one of deep connection and I want nothing less for my students. We build bridges, not just between countries, but between people. And those bridges carry students from aspiration to achievement.
For those deciding where to study, this is my commitment. We’ll meet you with a name, not a number. We’ll help you as you build a bridge to your future, supporting you in the challenges and cheering your success each step of the way.
