‘Mind the Gap’: Exploring International Female Students’ Challenges and Experiences Associated with Transnational Intergenerational Care in the Post-Covid-19 Era

Higher education Institutions (HEIs) in the UK have recently welcomed an increasing number of international students - especially women - who face numerous challenges as they have to leave their families (minor children and aging parents) behind physically but maintain contact digitally. The current study, therefore, aimed to: (a) explore the experiences and more specifically the barriers female international students living in transnational families (TNFs) face in the post-COVID-19 era as they try to balance their caring responsibilities and their studies, and (b) unravel how HEI can support female international students living in TNFs. This comparative study used a mixed methods approach. The research team collected data from 60 female international students studying in the UK and Turkey using semi-structured interviews and an online survey. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative findings of the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative findings of the project. The current study unveiled the gendered challenges, (e.g., academic, personal, digital, and professional) female international students living in TNFs face. It also offers recommendations on how HEIs can support these students and facilitate communication with their families as HEIs need to cater to their international students and their families’ well-being and mental health.