The Diversity of International Students in Australian Social Work Courses

The number of international students in social work courses in Australia has increased in recent years. This diversification of student experiences and perspectives needs to be understood for the effective delivery of social work education. In the exploratory study reported here, using an online survey, the authors examined the characteristics, experiences, and wellbeing of international students in entry-to-practice social work courses. This article reports on a subset of findings, focusing on demographics and experiences of everyday stressors. Quantitative analysis was conducted on 140 responses. Results demonstrated international social work students as highly diverse, particularly regarding country of birth, languages, sexual orientation, religion, and experiences of living and studying overseas. Participants indicated varied experiences of employment and caring responsibilities; financial stress; English language skills; safe and secure living situations; pressure from family and friends at home; and access to support. Experiences of financial stress and pressure from family and friends were particularly common. The majority of participants were confident in their English skills and indicated they had access to safe and secure accommodation. Findings provide insight into the diverse characteristics of international students—pointing to opportunities for educators to engage with, promote, and support diversity in social work courses.IMPLICATIONS Social work education in Australia can be improved with an increased understanding of, engagement with, and promotion of diversity among international students.Often the deficit-focused homogenisation of international social work students as a population can be addressed with a deeper understanding of its diversity.