Abstract
After 2015, several German higher education institutions (HEI) expanded their capacities for the study preparation of refugees. Nowadays, international and refugee students prepare for higher education degree programs through languages courses and subject-specific preparation courses at universities and colleges. So far, empirical research on refugee students’ wellbeing, in comparison to international students is scarce. This article elaborates on study preparation at German HEIs and refugee students’ psychological wellbeing. I focus on the mechanisms of subjective social exclusion/inclusion. I examine novel survey data from international and refugee students (final sample N = 904) by path analysis structural equation modelling. Results show on one hand that feelings of social exclusion reduce wellbeing, but on the other hand course belonging can function as a social resource of resilience for refugee students in study preparation. HEIs can strengthen feelings of social inclusion and psychological wellbeing of refugee students by fostering their belongingness in study preparation courses.
Highlights
In recent years, Germany has become one of the most popular destinations for international students worldwide
The present study addresses this research gap by elaborating on the determinants of the wellbeing of international and refugee students at study preparation courses at German higher education institutions (HEI)
Worries about xenophobia are influenced by course belonging (-.18) and general social resources (-.11); concerns decrease with stronger social resources
Summary
Germany has become one of the most popular destinations for international students worldwide. More than 370,000 international students were enrolled at German higher education institutions (HEIs) for the winter semester of 2017/2018 (Federal Statistical Office, 2018). Many recently arrived refugees in Germany are longing for social integration and seeking access to HEIs. The German federal government funded support measures and study preparation programs at German universities, universities of applied sciences and the so called ‘Studienkollegs’ (Grüttner, Berg, & Schröder, 2018). Evidence on success and the wellbeing of international and refugee students in study preparation, in Germany, is scarce.. Research on the wellbeing of international students seems to be concentrated in the United States, United Kingdom Evidence on success and the wellbeing of international and refugee students in study preparation, in Germany, is scarce. research on the wellbeing of international students seems to be concentrated in the United States, United Kingdom
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