'More Group Work Would Be Nice': Exploring Peer Interaction and Belonging in the First-Year Experiences of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Migrant and Refugee Students

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Bibliographic Details
Title: 'More Group Work Would Be Nice': Exploring Peer Interaction and Belonging in the First-Year Experiences of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Migrant and Refugee Students
Language: English
Authors: Ronan Kelly (ORCID 0000-0003-0563-7185), Sam Cunningham (ORCID 0000-0002-3110-5281), Freya Wright-Brough (ORCID 0000-0002-7179-8510), Henk Huijser (ORCID 0000-0001-9699-4940)
Source: Higher Education Research and Development. 2025 44(3):616-628.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Freshmen, Migrants, Refugees, Student Diversity, Sense of Belonging, Student Experience, Peer Relationship, Interaction, Student Attitudes, Friendship
Geographic Terms: Australia
DOI: 10.1080/07294360.2024.2416389
ISSN: 0729-4360
1469-8366
Abstract: A critical factor influencing culturally and linguistically diverse migrant and refugee (CALDMR) students' educational outcomes is how they experience belonging through peer and educator interactions. To better understand their first-year experiences of belonging, this study analysed 788 responses in the National Student Experience Survey 2020--2022 from first-year CALDMR students studying at a large Australian university. Mixed methods were used with quantitative analysis of closed-ended survey items and qualitative text and thematic analysis of comments relating to peer interaction and sense of belonging. CALDMR students reported lower frequencies of interactions with peers than domestic students with English as first language, yet they highly valued these interactions and believed that educators had a key role in facilitating them. Therefore, this study offers new insights and recommendations on enhancing CALDMR students' sense of belonging through educator and peer interactions.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1503533
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:A critical factor influencing culturally and linguistically diverse migrant and refugee (CALDMR) students' educational outcomes is how they experience belonging through peer and educator interactions. To better understand their first-year experiences of belonging, this study analysed 788 responses in the National Student Experience Survey 2020--2022 from first-year CALDMR students studying at a large Australian university. Mixed methods were used with quantitative analysis of closed-ended survey items and qualitative text and thematic analysis of comments relating to peer interaction and sense of belonging. CALDMR students reported lower frequencies of interactions with peers than domestic students with English as first language, yet they highly valued these interactions and believed that educators had a key role in facilitating them. Therefore, this study offers new insights and recommendations on enhancing CALDMR students' sense of belonging through educator and peer interactions.
ISSN:0729-4360
1469-8366
DOI:10.1080/07294360.2024.2416389