Invisible student engagement among Chinese international students in the UK

<p dir="ltr">Research with international students has become a subfield in the internationalisation of Higher Education (HE), yet the agentic contributions and achievements of international students are rarely found and acknowledged in the existing literature. As a buzzword and key indicator in educational policy and practice, student engagement remains under-researched when it comes to international student cohorts. The longitudinal, qualitative study reported in this article used Kahu’s conceptual framework of student engagement to critically examine the multidimensional student engagement of 22 Chinese international students in master’s programmes at UK universities. Monthly audio diaries and visually guided interviews allowed for the unpacking of participants’ multifaceted and dynamic processes of student engagement. This paper aims to critically engage with the limited research that uses the lens of student engagement to unpack the complexities of the international student journey, and also to shed light on the invisible student engagement that international students encounter, negotiate and thrive on during this journey. The key factors identified for enhancing student engagement provide suggestions for key stakeholders on how to prepare and support international students. This study highlights the importance of recognising international students as active agents in their educational journeys and advocates for institutional policies that improve inclusive engagement.</p>