Challenges faced by non-EU International Students at HAMK: Exploratory Study

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the challenges non-EU international students face at Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) in Finland. The study highlights that despite the increasing trend of global mobility, universities like HAMK face difficulties in accommodating and adapting to diverse student groups. The main objective of this thesis is to identify the financial and social challenges faced by non-EU international students that can affect their academic progress and well-being. The thesis emphasizes that financial constraints such as high tuition fees, living expenses, and employment challenges can significantly hamper students' ability to engage actively in university life and may also hinder their academic progress. Furthermore, non-EU international students face cultural and language barriers, which can lead to feelings of isolation and struggle with mental health problems. Qualitative research methods have been used, such as conducting interviews with six non-EU international students at HAMK; this thesis offers an in-depth understanding of the subjective experiences of these challenges, highlighting both common and unique aspects of the difficulties non-EU international students face. The thesis findings suggest that while HAMK provides a supportive academic environment, there are significant gaps in facilitating effective social integration and financial stability for non-EU international students.