Is the University of Exeter doing enough to integrate Home and International Students – and does it matter?

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The University of Exeter has around 7000 international students, making up 25 percent of their student population. This is a large number, yet many international students often end up feeling out of place. Despite the University’s efforts to integrate home and international students, the question of whether they truly create an inclusive and cross-cultural community remains.

Exeter’s diversity, while not non-existent nor the lowest amongst UK universities, does rank poorly in comparison to some other universities, both from within and outside the Russell Group. Bigger cities like Manchester, London and Edinburgh boast of universities where international students represent over a third to half of the student population. International students apply to those universities knowing they will be able to bond with other students over similar experiences.

Ranked least ethnically diverse amongst Russell Group universities, student experiences at Exeter can be quite different. Students at this university are aware of the class divisions exemplified by the “Exetah” stereotype, with around a third of university students having been privately educated. Having a reputation for lacking diversity, even within their UK students, can discourage international students from choosing Exeter, and potentially make effective integration difficult. As an international student myself, I have frequently experienced being the only international student at a seminar or a society event.

“Ranked least ethnically diverse amongst Russell Group universities.”

Both the university and the Student’s Guild have made a significant effort to create a inclusive atmosphere that highlights their multicultural community. They offer many cultural societies and events such as the annual Cultural Festival, Diwali celebrations, and Chinese New Year, as well as access to help and resources for international students.

Unlike in some other universities, foundation students (which tend to be predominantly international) have the opportunity to integrate meaningfully with the rest of the student population. With the International Study Centre (or the INTO building) on campus, as well as the opportunity to join societies and take part in university events, international students who have to do a foundation year are less likely to feel isolated.

However, even with the great number of resources that the International Student Centre and the English Language team offer, the language and cultural barriers naturally can’t be completely eliminated. While being able to improve one’s English can be very useful when trying to communicate with others and write assignments, it doesn’t completely enable integration between home and international students. There will still be popular cultural references that international students may never fully understand, or comments so quintessentially British that they hesitate to ask what they mean.

“Language and cultural barriers naturally can’t be completely eliminated.”

Sometimes these nuances can form the basis of a strong bond, and may explain why some international students prefer to remain within their own cultural groups when possible. Many students from larger countries such as China and India may choose to befriend people from their own country, or even their own continent. After all, would you rather stay within a circle of shared experiences and familiar cultures, or on the edge of one, where you might constantly feel like the odd one out?

This is not to diminish Exeter’s diversity, or the university’s efforts to make international students feel welcome, but it does raise the question of whether feeling truly at home is possible when integration is never fully achieved. With recent anti-immigration protests taking place in Exeter, it is not unreasonable to assume that some international students may gravitate towards others who understand the challenges of trying to fit into a different country and culture, far from their own. While the university’s efforts can certainly be praised, I do not believe all international students will ever feel fully integrated.

So why does it matter if international students do not integrate? The UK, like many other countries, would not be what it is today without immigration. It is therefore important that international students, who contribute significant funding to universities, feel welcome and included. Although full integration may never be entirely achievable, it remains vital that efforts continue and that further action is taken to ensure international students from all over the world feel welcome in the UK.