The Arrive and Thrive Toolkit (Figure 1) addresses these challenges head-on by offering accessible resources designed to enhance confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging. Recognising this need, we – NIENA members from universities across the UK – collaboratively developed the Toolkit to provide structured, compassionate transition support throughout the educational and clinical-placement lifecycle.

Our toolkit is grounded in the philosophy of academic hospitality (Bennett, 2000), which calls for ethical, inclusive engagement between academic host institutions and international students. Rather than viewing INS through a deficit lens, we highlight their strengths and co-create spaces of belonging. 

The toolkit is organised into four key phases: Applying, Arriving, Adapting, and Achieving. Each phase signposts tailored resources from visa guidance and orientation materials to academic writing support and career development tools. For example, during the Adapting phase, students are signposted to essential clinical placement preparation, emotional resilience, and digital literacy. Students can use these support mechanisms to aid both their academic success and professional readiness.

The launch of this resource aligns with national priorities to widen participation and strengthen the UK’s global nursing workforce. By fostering inclusive learning environments, institutions can empower INS to thrive and not just survive in UK HEIs. Our toolkit also benefits educators by offering insights into the lived experiences of international students and practical strategies for supporting them holistically.

In an era of increasing marketisation in higher education, our approach reasserts the importance of relational ethics and academic care. We invite academic leaders to adopt the Arrive and Thrive Toolkit as a framework for enhancing student integration and institutional inclusivity.

References:

Bennett, J. (2000). Hospitality and the ethics of international education. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0309826042000295594

Contributors:  

• Dr Dilla Davis, Lecturer, King’s College London (Lead) 
• Leema Philip Kuttiyil, Assistant Professor, Coventry University (Co-Lead) 
• Elizabeth Chacko, Senior Lecturer, University of Lancashire 
• Joicy George, Senior Lecturer, University of Roehampton London
• Leena Vinod, Senior Lecturer, Edge Hill University  
• Dr Manju C Pallam, Senior lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University 
• Nimmy John, Lecturer, Queen’s University Belfast 
• Raji Thomas, Lecturer in Practice Learning, Liverpool John Moores University 
• Rincy Sajith, Lecturer, University of Salford
• Shiji Thomas, Lecturer, University of Salford   
• Siby Sikhamoni, Senior Lecturer, Kingston University 

Technical support and Design – Brian Taggart, Senior Client and Systems Project Manager, Liverpool John Moores University.

External Reviewer: Professor Karen McCutcheon Queens University, Belfast.

Contact: dilla.davis@kcl.ac.uk

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