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Contribution short abstract

This study explores how international students in South East Wales navigate rising living costs, housing insecurity, and social integration challenges. Findings reveal economic precarity and adaptive resilience, highlighting the need for policies that prioritise well-being and equity.

Contribution long abstract

International student mobility has surged post-pandemic, yet research on well-being beyond England remains limited. Wales attracts thousands of international students annually but rising living costs and constrained work opportunities pose significant challenges. This study explores how international students in South East Wales negotiate economic pressures, social integration, and psychological resilience within this evolving landscape. Drawing on a survey of over 400 respondents, predominantly postgraduate, we examine experiences of accommodation, part-time employment, and coping strategies. Findings reveal a precarious economic context: while many students combine study with paid work, opportunities often fall short of meeting tuition and living expenses, prompting reliance on informal networks and adaptive behaviours. Housing arrangements range from shared spaces to insecure tenancies, amplifying stress. Academic challenges were less widespread but included difficulties with assessment and language for some. Social integration emerged as uneven - some students actively engage in cultural and community life, while others remain isolated. Integration was framed through social ties, skill development, and legal security, signalling aspirations that extend beyond academic success. Psychological responses varied, with optimism coexisting alongside emotional strain. By situating these experiences within global debates on well-being and social justice, the study highlights structural vulnerabilities and adaptive strategies shaping international student life. We argue for targeted interventions: fair work opportunities, financial counselling, and community-building initiatives - to enhance resilience and equity. These insights contribute to reimagining development through inclusive higher education policies that prioritise well-being as a cornerstone of social justice.