Adaptation and coping strategies of international students’ experiences in India

Abstract

This paper critically examines the academic and sociocultural challenges encountered by international students in India, and interrogates the often-celebratory narrative of internationalization in higher education. While India’s emergence as a host destination is frequently framed in economic and institutional terms, insufficient attention has been given to students’ lived experiences of adjustment. Drawing on a qualitative case study based on in-depth interviews with a diverse cohort of international students, this study reveals persistent structural and institutional gaps. The participants reported difficulties arising from rigid pedagogical practices, opaque assessment systems, linguistic barriers, and experiences of racial discrimination. Rather than being adequately supported by host institutions, students rely heavily on informal networks, personal resilience, and religious affiliations. The findings problematize the assumption of seamless integration and highlight the uneven burden placed on students to navigate systemic inadequacies. This study calls for a more critical rethinking of internationalization practices within the Indian higher education context.