Peer-based support for international students’ integration

The internationalisation of higher education has significantly increased the diversity of student populations worldwide. While this development enriches academic communities, it also presents challenges for institutions seeking to ensure both academic success and social belonging for international students. Universities are therefore increasingly required to develop inclusive support systems that address academic, social, and cultural aspects of student integration.

In response to these challenges, the INTEGRA project was launched to support the faster integration of international students into the learning community at Haaga-Helia’s Porvoo campus while simultaneously engaging students themselves in support activities in a sustainable manner. By combining research-based approaches with peer-support practices, we created an inclusive and accessible support model for incoming international students.

Dimensions of student integration

Student integration can be examined through several complementary perspectives. Academic integration focuses on the skills and knowledge required for success in higher education. Research indicates that language proficiency plays a critical role in students’ academic performance and overall study success (Bianchi & Martini 2023). In addition, familiarity with academic expectations, institutional systems, and learning cultures facilitates students’ adaptation to their new educational environment. Peer mentoring has also been identified as an effective strategy for supporting academic integration (Bianchi & Martini 2023).

Social integration constitutes another important dimension and develops through interactions with fellow students, faculty, and university staff (Bianchi & Martini 2023). Participation in extracurricular activities further strengthens students’ connections to the academic community and promotes smoother integration (Tinto 1975).

Cultural adaptation is also an important aspect of the integration process. International students may encounter challenges related to unfamiliar social norms, values, and communication styles. Cultural orientation programmes and supportive institutional environments can help students better understand their new context and facilitate their adjustment (Bianchi et al. 2023).

Identifying integration challenges

To better understand the needs of international students at the Porvoo campus, we collected data through student interviews and compared the findings with existing research. The results confirmed that the challenges experienced locally closely reflect those documented internationally. The most significant obstacles identified were language barriers and difficulties in finding employment. In addition, students reported challenges related to social interaction and cultural adaptation.

Relocating to another country is often accompanied by uncertainty and stress. Many practical questions arise even before students arrive in Finland, including issues related to accommodation, documentation, banking, and healthcare. Although information is often available online, it may be difficult to access due to time constraints, language barriers, or fragmented sources. These challenges highlight the importance of clear and accessible guidance during the early stages of the student journey.

Project design and support model

The INTEGRA project addressed these challenges by providing support throughout three stages of the student experience: pre-arrival, arrival, and integration. A comprehensive information package was developed to guide students through these stages. The guide contains practical information and links to relevant services, covering topics such as required documents, housing, banking services, and access to the Finnish Student Health Service.

Communication with prospective students begins even before they accept their study place. In spring 2025, our project interns participated in Offer-Holder webinars organised by the International Services of Haaga-Helia. During these sessions, interns shared practical information about living and studying in Porvoo and answered questions from prospective students.

A central feature of the INTEGRA model is its reliance on peer support. In the project, we employed international student interns to provide guidance and support to incoming students. Because these interns have personally experienced the challenges associated with relocating to Finland, they are well positioned to understand the concerns of new arrivals. Peer communication also tends to be more informal and accessible than interactions with institutional staff. For many international students, cultural norms may make it difficult to approach teachers or administrators, whereas communication with fellow students feels more approachable.

Implementation of support activities

Information about the INTEGRA project and the information package was included in acceptance letters sent to incoming students. This ensured that students had access to relevant guidance and contact information from the earliest stages of their transition. During the summer period, several students contacted the interns for advice regarding personal circumstances and practical arrangements.

During orientation week, the interns visited groups of first-year students enrolled in English-taught programmes to introduce the project and explain the available support services. Throughout the academic year, students could contact INTEGRA through pop-up consultation hours, email, or the Teams channel maintained by our interns.

In addition, weekly coffee stands were introduced during the spring 2026 semester. These informal gatherings provided opportunities for students to ask questions, learn about ongoing activities, and interact with peers in a relaxed environment.

Beyond practical guidance, the project also aimed to strengthen students’ sense of belonging. Monthly activities brought together students from different programmes and cultural backgrounds, enabling them to build social networks and gradually integrate into the campus community. Career events were organised to strengthen their belonging to the local community and prospects of employment. The networking and career design course and the practical Finnish courses, organised and financed by the project, further supported student integration and employability.

Evaluation and key findings

To assess the impact of the project, interviews were conducted with guidance counsellors, support staff, and student interns involved in delivering the services. The findings demonstrate that peer-support models can function as scalable, student-centred responses to the challenges associated with increasing internationalisation and growing demands on student services.

One important finding concerns the accessibility of support. Engaging student interns as peer-support providers lowers the threshold for seeking assistance and complements formal guidance structures. Another significant outcome relates to the sustainability of student support systems. Guidance counsellors reported that the involvement of student interns reduced their workload, allowing them to concentrate more effectively on academic and career counselling. The project also highlighted the developmental benefits of peer-support roles for the interns themselves. Students acting as support providers developed transferable skills such as communication, intercultural competence, digital literacy, and collaborative problem-solving.

The INTEGRA project demonstrates the importance of low-threshold, face-to-face support for international students, particularly during the early stages of their studies. Peer mentors are perceived as approachable and relatable, and communication between students is often more natural and informal. Peer-support models also allow for flexible and immediate assistance with everyday challenges.

Overall, the project illustrates how peer-based support can strengthen international student integration while simultaneously enhancing institutional efficiency and student engagement. By combining research-based practices with student-led initiatives, the INTEGRA model provides a sustainable and inclusive approach to supporting diverse student communities.

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