Understanding multiple and multi-dimensional transitions of international higher education students: setting the scene

Increasing numbers of students are travelling overseas to pursue higher education. The number has gone up from 0.8 million in 1975 to 4.3 million in 2011 (OECD, 2013). International students enrich the host country and university academically, culturally, and economically. They enhance other students’ and staff’s experience by exposing them to diversity and multiculturalism (Burdett and Crossman, 2012; Peacock and Harrison, 2009; Rienties and Nolan, 2014; Zhou, Jindal-Snape, Topping, and Todman, 2008; Zhou, Todman, Topping, and Jindal-Snape, 2010). International students themselves benefit from studying abroad but can also face some issues as a result of their transition to a new country and educational system. There is a need to raise awareness amongst academics, researchers, professionals, and policymakers of the positive effects of transitions, to build upon them, and of the negative effects, to successfully resolve them.