M.Sc Zübeyde Durna-Flygare’s doctoral dissertation at the University of Lapland examines how higher education impacts the resilience of international students in the Finnish Lapland region. The study finds that universities significantly boost student resilience but highlights the need for better intervention programmes to support their academic and social integration.
The research, conducted amid Finland’s efforts to enhance its higher education internationalisation, focused on nearly 500 international students enrolled at the University of Lapland and Lapland University of Applied Sciences.
Key Findings
Durna-Flygare’s study revealed that:
- International students report high resilience levels, attributing their coping ability in part to university support.
- There is a need for more extracurricular activities and better access to legal and procedural information for studying in Finland.
- Despite high resilience, many international students are reluctant to immigrate to Finland permanently, citing challenges such as limited job opportunities, language barriers, and climate conditions.
“These findings highlight the critical role universities play in supporting student resilience while also signalling the importance of developing targeted interventions that address both academic and socio-cultural needs,” says Durna-Flygare.
Public Examination
Durna-Flygare will defend her dissertation, “The Resilience and Willingness to Immigrate to Finland: A Mixed Methods Research Among International Higher Education Students in Lapland,” on 15 August 2025 at 12:00 (noon) in Auditorium B127, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi.
- Opponent: Professor Elina Kilpi-Jakonen, University of Turku
- Custos: Professor Satu Uusiautti, University of Lapland
The defence will be held in English and streamed online here.
About the Researcher
Zübeyde Durna-Flygare holds an M.Sc in Gender Studies and a B.A. in English Language Teaching from Middle East Technical University, Turkey, as well as a Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults from Cambridge University.
Publication:
Zübeyde Durna-Flygare (2025): The Resilience and Willingness to Immigrate to Finland: A Mixed Methods Research Among International Higher Education Students in Lapland. Acta electronica Universitatis Lapponiensis 413. Read here.
Source: University of Lapland
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