Where do I click to raise my hand? An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the university students' experience studying abroad during the 2020 pandemic

This study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to better understand the lived experience of 14 university students who had to move to an online learning environment and Virtual Exchange because of the 2020 pandemic. By March 2020, the International Education community experienced the unprecedented occurrence of a global pandemic. Because of the rise of Covid cases worldwide, education was moved online for virtual learning, recreational events were halted and social distancing for the safety of oneself and others became the norm. Higher education institutions were forced to make decisions based on the safety of their international students abroad and at home. The pandemic limited study abroad in-person options but with limitations, new opportunities emerged: hybrid and Virtual Exchange online learning, which the researcher was keen to explore, and this led to the following research question:

What are the lived experiences of university students’ taking part in international programmes during the pandemic?