The viewpoints of Australian independent school leaders, teachers, and students on assisting international students

International students play a crucial role in fostering a diverse and inclusive educational setting in their host countries. The majority of research on the internationalization of education has been concentrated on university-level students, neglecting to adequately address the presence of international students within the Australian school system. This chapter presents a study that used a critical interpretative research technique to examine the impacts of international students on the internationalization of Australian Independent schools and the supports they received by including multiple perspectives of school leaders, teachers, and students. It utilizes a mixed-method approach, combining an online Qualtrics survey and semi-structured interviews, to collect data. The chapter highlights the significance of international students in the process of internationalizing Australian schools. This includes enhancing cultural awareness and competence, implementing culturally responsive teaching strategies, accommodating multiple learning styles, and diversifying teaching materials and methods. This chapter also lists the various programs offered by schools to support international students, such as language assistance, academic support, cultural and social support, and dedicated English as an Additional Language teachers for international students. Unlike some academic literature and media reports seeing international students as “deficits” in the “host” education system, this chapter argues that school leaders and teachers valued international students’ positive contributions to the internationalization of school education in Australia.