Understanding international students: interaction matters more than information

Haaga-Helia has run an annual International Degree Student Survey (IDSS) since autumn 2024. The survey gives international students an opportunity to influence services that support their integration and employability. When planning targeted actions, it is important for us to understand the needs of our students, and what genuinely works for them. Moreover, the survey allows students to evaluate their overall student experience.

When discussing international student support, certain observations are common in many universities: students do not always take advantage of tailored activities, they hesitate to contribute to online surveys, and encounter cultural misunderstandings. Such behaviour can appear as disengagement or lack of self-initiative. Yet, when examined more closely, the findings of our survey indicate that the most obvious explanation is not always true.

A sense of belonging matters

Our survey results show that it is easy for international students to make friends within the international student community. The situation is different when it comes to their Finnish peers. The MoniSuomi Study (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare 2024) supports our findings, as many newcomers report limited contact with Finns. This phenomenon slows down their transition into the Finnish society and working life.

We have also noticed that despite various events organized with companies, many international students do not connect with them easily. A research paper from Lu and Everson Härkälä (2024) confirms our observation that, not knowing the Finnish language and work life culture are the major barriers for finding employment.

Repetition is not a sign of disengagement

Staff members who work closely with students may notice that the same students ask the same questions repeatedly. The IDSS results shed light on this, as for many international students adoption of the local ways of doing relies heavily on clear, practical and step‑by‑step guidance. More specifically, interpersonal guidance was one of the top needs identified both in the 2024 and 2025 surveys.

Unlike many other cultures, the Finnish society and academic environment rely heavily on independence and self-leadership. However, limited familiarity with our administrative practices and ‘unwritten rules’ increases uncertainty and lowers confidence in acting independently. International students may therefore seek confirmation time after time instead of relying on written instructions.

Participation is not always easy

The IDSS results are annually shared and discussed internally with the staff and targeted students. Both the feedback and the related panel discussion have confirmed the fact, that international students value targeted activities such as Career Week or the Employment in Finland -course. Yet, surprisingly many of the students struggle to find information about them. Another factor preventing participation is the fact that the students must make decisions on how to divide limited time between studies, student life, and sometimes work and family.

The panel members made it clear that communication through official channels does not reach our international students effectively enough. Personal recommendations (from teachers, tutors, student associations or fellow students) can carry more weight than formal promotion. Again, interpersonal communication matters more than official instructions and informative materials.

Feedback culture is not indifferent

Although digital feedback channels like online surveys are useful and necessary tools for universities, response rates can remain regrettably low. Written feedback, especially critical or developmental, carries very different cultural meanings across student groups. In some cultures, feedback is given only in trusted, face to face settings.

Our survey results and related panel discussion confirmed this phenomenon, as many students prefer sharing their thoughts verbally and discreetly. It is important to be aware of the differences in feedback cultures – and take them into account.

Interaction cultivates mutual understanding

When diversity grows, the frequency of cross‑cultural encounters grows inevitably. Occasional misunderstandings or tensions in a multicultural academic environment need to be looked at with care, as misinterpretations rooted in different communication styles and social norms happen. After all, it is human to make mistakes, and trying to learn from them.

Luckily, the IDSS results indicate that international students perceive our campuses as friendly. Staff members are also considered supportive, open and easy to approach.

It is fair to conclude that facilitating mutual understanding is worthwhile, as integration and employment will not happen simply through sharing useful information with the international students. Integration and employment happen in everyday life, through conversation, encounters on campuses, tailored activities, collaborative projects and enabling learning of the local language.

Picture: Haaga-Helia