The role of hope in international students' experiences of well-being : a phenomenological inquiry

Abstract

The characteristic of hope, and the construct of well-being, both as topics of investigation, have incited scientific interest and inquiry in the university student population. However, not much enthusiasm is evident in the international student population. Furthermore, there is a dearth of literature on the subject matter in the South African context. This qualitative study aims to investigate the role of hope in well-being by focusing on the experiences of international students living at the University of Pretoria residences. An interpretative phenomenological analysis, utilised as the study's methodology, focused on the lived worlds of the participants and endeavoured to capture rich understandings of their experiences. The study is rooted in a positive psychological framework and its propositions. Purposive sampling was used to identify and select participants, and three international students participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain their narrative accounts. Their transcripts were analysed following the guidelines specified within the interpretative phenomenological analysis. As a product of this analysis method, the study results were presented as descriptive, connected themes. The themes, as emerged, were adjustment to university; experiences of marginalisation, violence, and discrimination in residences and lectures; optimising well-being and thriving at the University of Pretoria; and subjective experiences of hope as contributing to well-being. The research found that international students resort to their various innate strengths and environmental resources of support to help them thrive at their host university during adversity in adjusting to a foreign university. Hope further contributed to this aspect and optimised their well-being while living at the university residence. This empowered them to attain their academic goals.