International doctoral students: struggling, coping, and learning in a United Kingdom university

Semi-structured interview was designed to capture in-depth exploration on participants’ experiences in their doctoral journey. Additional data was gained by analysing the document of IDS acknowledgment page from the same university to strengthen the data from sociogram and interviews. Drawing from thematic analysis and qualitative content analysis, the results of the study indicate that the participants experienced the struggles in the area of language, academic expectation, health, and contextual factors.

To address these struggles, the participants employed some strategies that seem effective for them, including benefiting provided support from university, taking advantage of technological resources, asking for help, and self-management. The results of the study also conclude that familial, institutional staff members, and peer are pivotal support sources for the participants in their doctoral journey. All in all, the implications of the findings are discussed, which might be a unique contribution not only to higher educational institution, but also to prospective IDS who are planning to study at UK and/or overseas institutions.<br>I