International students' loneliness in Japan and the UK

2023 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 23K18851
• Research Institution: Ritsumeikan University
• Principal Investigator: IVANOVA Polina 立命館大学, 立命館アジア・日本研究機構, 研究員 (00979487)
• Project Period (FY): 2023-08-31 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: international students / loneliness / social engagement / Japan / Britain

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

This study is a comparative analysis of international students’ loneliness and social engagement in the UK and Japan. Brought into focus during the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness is seen as a critical aspect of international student security and a sign of insufficient university support and social engagement outside campus. The purpose of this study is to understand international students’ experiences of loneliness and social engagement and reimagine the international education based on ideas of inclusion and human security. To achieve this objective, this study attempts to answer the following research questions: 1) What factors help international students in Japan and the UK overcome their loneliness and create social networks? 2) What is the role of language support in building social networks? 2) How effective are local volunteer groups for international students’ adaptation in the host society?
After obtaining ethical approval of my study on February 9, 2024, I started qualitative data collection by interviewing international students in the UK. In February-March 2024, I interviewed 12 students in London and Manchester areas and am now continuing data collection in Japan. Based on the main themes that emerged from interviews, I developed an online survey that is now being pilot tested and will be launched in May 2024.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

I applied for ethical approval of my study on 31 October 2023 and obtained approval on 9 February 2024, approval number Kinugasa-Human-2023-93.
I started qualitative data collection by interviewing international students in the UK in February-March 2024. I interviewed 12 students from 5 universities in London and Manchester areas. In March, I hired a PhD student at Ritsumeikan University as a research assistant to help me transcribe the interviews.
I am now continuing data collection in Japan with interviewing students in the Kansai area and making appointments with those studying in the Kanto areas. I am planning to interview about 6 international students in Kansai and 6 in Kanto.
The online survey is ready and is now being pilot tested. The final version will be launched in May 2024.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

I am planning to continue conducting interviews in Japan (Kansai and Kanto areas), aiming to interview about 12 international students. I am also going to continue working on interview transcriptions and the online survey administered simultaneously in the UK and in Japan between May and July 2024, while moving forward with the qualitative data analysis. I am planning to present the results of qualitative data collection (interviews) during the monthly meeting of Kyoto Asian Studies Group (KASG) at Kyoto University in July 2024. Based on the feedback received from colleagues at KASG, I am going to prepare a journal article addressing the first research question (RQ). After the end of the survey period, I am planning to analyze the survey data using statistical software and use the data to address the second RQ. The combined qualitative and quantitative data will serve to answer the third RQ and the overarching question of the study on reimagining a more inclusive international education sector.

Causes of Carryover

I was not aware that not all the expenses were eligible for reimbursement. I am now planning to go to Tokyo for data collection and also present my findings at 2 international conferences next year.