“So that was the moment I felt very much excluded" Effects of language on feelings of inclusion and exclusion of international MSc students at Aalto University School of Business
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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
School of Business |
Master's thesis
Authors
Date
2023
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Management and International Business (MIB)
Language
en
Pages
74+2
Series
Abstract
An important trend nowadays in higher education institutions globally and in Finland is the promotion of internationalization as a strategic goal. This trend can be seen especially in the form of increased student mobility. Due to the internationalization, university students have become more diverse. Hence, the interest among scholars in researching international students and diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) issues has increased. The analytical framework of the present thesis is based on three key themes: international students, language, as well as inclusion and exclusion. Previous studies have typically focused on researching the themes separately, or by focusing on, for example, the integration of international students. This thesis, however, combines the themes and contributes to research by exploring the possible effects of language on international students’ feelings of inclusion and exclusion. This present study was conducted using qualitative methods in the context of Aalto University School of Business (Aalto BIZ) by interviewing its 10 international Master’s (MSc) students, and it investigates the topic through the following research questions: a) How can language create feelings of inclusion and exclusion in international MSc students at Aalto BIZ? and b) How could the feelings of inclusion be strengthened among international students? Findings show that language can cause feelings of inclusion and exclusion implicitly and explicitly through Aalto BIZ, student communities and other MSc students. Aalto BIZ’s Career services created feelings of exclusion when using Finnish language in communications, but their services were also considered helpful. Alumni network and faculty created mainly feelings of inclusion. Being able to join Aalto BIZ student communities and events created feelings of inclusion, but many international students were not able to join these activities despite efforts. Other MSc students were considered friendly creating feelings of inclusion, however, negative experiences in for example group works and the nature of MSc studies created feelings of exclusion. Findings also suggest that Aalto BIZ’s Career services, Learning services and faculty can strengthen the feelings of inclusion of international students for example by targeting information and events for them. Aalto BIZ student communities could improve the tutoring program and clarify communications to strengthen the feelings of inclusion in international students. International students can also affect this by attending events and student communities actively. As the extent of previous research regarding the topic is limited, this exploratory study serves as a first step in discovering more about the possible effects of language on the feelings of inclusion and exclusion among international students. The practical implications of this study are mainly intended for Aalto BIZ but can be also applied to other schools in Aalto University, and universities in Finland and abroad.Description
Thesis advisor
Kankaanranta, AnnePälli, Pekka
Keywords
diversiteetti, inkluusio, kansainvälisyys, kieli