INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHANGES IN EDUCATION
Research Article
Nov 24, 2025 1 0

The Discourse on Student Engagement and Motivation Among Foreign Students in Finland

Kevin Fuchs 1 *
1 Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand* Corresponding Author
International Journal of Changes in Education, 2(4), 2025, 271-278, https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022224
Publication date: Nov 24, 2025
Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

Student engagement in higher education is a complex construct that encompasses the active participation, involvement, and investment of students in their learning experiences. However, foreign students, who bring unique cultural, linguistic, and social
backgrounds, face distinct challenges and experiences in adapting to higher education environments. This research aimed to fill a practical research gap by exploring how foreign undergraduate students in Finland perceive student engagement and motivation in higher education. Moreover, it sought to advance the ongoing discussion about student engagement in academia. This inductive research adopted a qualitative research framework and gathered interview data with foreign degree students in Finland. The semi-structured interviews with foreign undergraduate students were analyzed thematically and yielded four primary themes. First is the theme of peer interaction and cultural stereotypes, followed by the second theme, which revolves around integration challenges. The third theme highlights challenges viewed as opportunities, and finally, the theme of institutional support. Moreover, the study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing valuable insights about a group of students that is often marginalized. The article concludes by providing implications for research and practice.

KEYWORDS

student engagement motivation foreign student higher education Finland peer pressure qualitative research

CITATION (APA)

Fuchs, K. (2025). The Discourse on Student Engagement and Motivation Among Foreign Students in Finland. International Journal of Changes in Education, 2(4), 271-278. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022224
Harvard
Fuchs, K. (2025). The Discourse on Student Engagement and Motivation Among Foreign Students in Finland. International Journal of Changes in Education, 2(4), pp. 271-278. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022224
Vancouver
Fuchs K. The Discourse on Student Engagement and Motivation Among Foreign Students in Finland. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2025;2(4):271-8. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022224
AMA
Fuchs K. The Discourse on Student Engagement and Motivation Among Foreign Students in Finland. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2025;2(4), 271-278. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022224
Chicago
Fuchs, Kevin. "The Discourse on Student Engagement and Motivation Among Foreign Students in Finland". International Journal of Changes in Education 2025 2 no. 4 (2025): 271-278. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022224
MLA
Fuchs, Kevin "The Discourse on Student Engagement and Motivation Among Foreign Students in Finland". International Journal of Changes in Education, vol. 2, no. 4, 2025, pp. 271-278. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022224

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