13:30 – 15:00 CEST, 10 September 2025 ‐ 1 hour 30 mins
Room: F5
Spotlight session
This session delves into the ethics of international student welfare and integration, focusing on students' financial well-being once they arrive at their host institutions. We will explore the responsibilities of institutions in supporting students in managing fees, accommodation costs and the rising cost of living. The session will highlight the ‘hidden’ issues faced by international students, particularly those from less wealthy backgrounds, and the impact on their academic performance and overall experience. Through research findings, key data and video testimonials, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of these challenges and discuss best practices to ensure equitable opportunities for all students. The session will include roundtable discussions and practical takeaways to support international students during their studies abroad.
Topics:
Student and alumni services
European Student Placement Agency Ltd, United Kingdom
Therapeutic Consultations Ltd, United Kingdom
Having worked in universities for over 20 years, Géraldine Dufour is an expert in matters related to university wellbeing and mental health. She is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex and works directly with individuals and organisations across the sector facilitating training, consultancy and supervision. Previously head of counselling at the University of Cambridge, chair of national executive committees for student mental health and counselling and founding member of national research groups in student mental health, Géraldine has a wide-ranging experience. Former French Erasmus student, working and collaborating internationally, with a visiting professorship at Fudan University, Géraldine is interested in cross-cultural work, difference, diversity and is part of the European Association for International Education (EAIE) Expert Community Student and Alumni Services.Lunex University, Luxembourg
Jessica Price is an academic and counselling psychology practitioner with more than fifteen years of experience in the development of mental health and wellbeing interventions, supporting highly diverse and multicultural groups, drawing from approaches and experiences including counselling psychology; organizational behavior; positive psychology and student wellbeing.Independent Intercultural Consultant and Trainer, United Kingdom
A specialist in student mental health, with a focus on outreach and training within higher education
Stephanie is an intercultural consultant/trainer at her own intercultural consultancy for higher education institutions, which focuses on the internationalisation of students. She recently retired from the position of Associate Director for Counselling and Mental health Support at King’s College London, after having worked in the field of psychological counselling for over 30 years. Stephanie has developed a programme of outreach and training, with the aim of enabling home and international students, academics and frontline administrative staff to be trained in the psychological pressures that they may encounter. She embarked on a study trip to Fudan and Shanghai Jaio Tong Universities in 2015, with the objective of understanding the presentation and treatment of mental health issues amongst students in China and has since been invited to speak at several conferences in China, organised through Oxford Prospects and Global Development Institute. Stephanie studied English and Education at Goldsmiths University; Psychology at Birkbeck College, University of London; Guidance and Counselling at Reading University and is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. She was the recipient of the King’s College Principal’s Award in 2018, which recognises an individual who has ‘gone above and beyond to champion the goals of the university and has delivered outstanding service as a King’s Ambassador’.
She has been a trainer at the EAIE Academy for the past five years and was one of the keynote speakers at the AACSB and EAIE Expert Community Business Education in 2020, on the topic of ‘avoiding virtual burnout: maintaining engagement, motivation and mental health in students, staff and faculty’.