The COVID-19-related challenges and coping strategies among international students

An integrative review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/q045mk90

Keywords:

international student, COVID-19, cop, challeng, experience, perspective

Abstract

This integrative review identifies COVID-19-related challenges among international university students and explores their coping strategies and university support. To the best of our knowledge, this integrative review is the first to address both the challenges encountered by international students during the pandemic comprehensively and their coping strategies. Using Whittemore and Knafl’s five-step integrative review method, a systematic search was conducted across six databases and Google Scholar in February 2025, yielding 26 relevant studies. Two main themes and six subthemes were identified. The first theme focuses on challenges, including financial, psychological, and online learning impacts, as well as discrimination. The second theme highlights coping strategies, encompassing self-developing coping strategies and university support. In conclusion, international students have encountered numerous challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Author Biographies

  • Lina Almadadha, University of Technology Sydney, Australia

    Lina Almadadha is a PhD candidate at the University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery. Her research interests focus on cultural diversity in health and education. She is skilled in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, data analysis, and academic storytelling. Lina’s dedication and strong research capabilities have contributed meaningfully to advancing knowledge in her field. Email: lina.almadadha@student.uts.edu.au

     

  • Leila Golizadeh, University of Technology Sydney, Australia

    Leila Gholizadeh is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Technology Sydney. She is an internationally recognized researcher in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and management. Her work explores individual and sociocultural influences on CVD development, treatment-seeking behaviors, disease experience, and recovery. Key areas of focus include risk perception, medication adherence, self-care, cardiac rehabilitation, and patient experiences. She has employed a range of research methodologies, including both qualitative and quantitative designs, to investigate these complex issues. Email:leila.gholizadeh@uts.edu.au

  • Suzanne Sheppard-Law, University of Technology Sydney, Australia

    Suzanne Sheppard-Law is an Associate Professor of Person-Centered Nursing Research at the Prince of Wales Hospital & Sydney Hospital & Sydney Eye Hospital and the University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing & Midwifery. Her programme of research builds on her clinical expertise and knowledge of the healthcare sector, having worked as a SESLHD Health Service Manager (HSM2) for 18 months and a Clinical Nurse Consultant for 15 years in acute, primary and outreach community-based healthcare settings across adult, antenatal, and pediatric populations. Suzanne has over 500 citations from her publications. She has received a total of $1,000,000 in funding as the principal or coinvestigator. She is a recipient of a NSW Health Premier's Award for her collaborative research and clinical care working with people subject to homelessness. Email: Suzanne.sheppard-law@uts.edu.au

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Published

2025-09-14

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Vol. 15 No. 10 (2025): Journal of International Students

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Research Articles (English, regular edition)

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How to Cite

Almadadha, L., Golizadeh, L., & Sheppard-Law, S. (2025). The COVID-19-related challenges and coping strategies among international students: An integrative review. Journal of International Students, 15(10), 85-114. https://doi.org/10.32674/q045mk90