Abstract
ABSTRACTThis study challenges the long-standing deficit discourse of international students. Applying agency theories, it explores six Vietnamese doctoral students’ narratives of their candidature in an Australian research-intensive university using data drawn from semi-structured interviews. The findings confirm the high level of agency that international students displayed in previous research and show new nuances. Needs-response agency is displayed in the way the students dealt with language for research purposes. Agency as struggle and resistance is manifest in the soft strategies, which may be culturally invisible through the Western lens. Agency for becoming shows the transformation into a more confident and autonomous self. Pervading the other forms of agency, relational agency refers to the way these candidates effectively mobilised their families and communities, and maturated networks. The study expands understanding of international doctoral students’ abilities to successfully navigate their candidature. The findings have important implications for supervisors to further develop their expertise.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
