Coming Out of the Ashes We Rise: Experiences of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse International Nursing Students at Two Australian Universities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background and aim: Research on international students conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic has persistently highlighted the vulnerabilities and challenges that they experienced when staying in the host country to continue with their studies. The findings from such research can inevitably create a negative image of international students and their ability to respond to challenges during unprecedented times. The aim of this study is two-fold: (1). To provide insights into the pandemic’s impact on CaLD international nursing students. (2). To explore the lived experiences of CaLD international students in overcoming the challenges during the pandemic.Method: A descriptive qualitative research design guided by constructivist grounded theory was used in this study. Students were recruited via flyers posted on the institutional digital learning platform. Nineteen in-depth 1 to 1 online interviews were conducted using an interview guide. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using constant comparison analysis.Results: Three themes emerged from the collected data that described the participants’ lived experiences, and they were (1) viewing international education as the pursuit of a better life, (2) focusing on personal growth, and (3) coming out of the ashes we rise.Discussion: The findings highlight the importance of recognizing the investments and sacrifices that CaLD international students and their families make in pursuit of international tertiary education. The findings also underscore the importance of acknowledging the qualities that CaLD international students have to achieve self-growth and ultimately self-efficacy as they stay in the host country during a pandemic.Conclusion: Future research should aim to identify effective strategies that support CaLD international nursing students in achieving personal growth and self-efficacy. This is particularly important during times of uncertainty, such as a pandemic, to ensure that they can continue their studies successfully in the host country. Recognizing the investments and sacrifices made by these students and their families, as well as acknowledging their qualities and resilience, is crucial for developing supportive educational policies and practices.