Lesser-known HEIs: Ingenious models for student integration

Some of Portugal’s lesser-known institutions, often overlooked by domestic students, are drawing an increasing number of international students, particularly from Portuguese-speaking countries around the world (for example, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique or Cape Verde). What makes these institutions stand out isn’t world rankings or research reputation; it is their ingenious approaches to student integration.

Some polytechnic institutions, private universities or rural institutions are creating vibrant, multicultural campuses for international students, where integration efforts go far beyond traditional support services. Faced with the challenge of attracting national students, who are more likely to prefer other institutions, these universities have adopted innovative strategies that value belonging, personal care and community engagement.

The promotion of a multicultural environment is central. The idea is simple but effective: make students feel at home.

This is not just about providing academic guidance or accommodation support; it’s about fostering a campus culture which celebrates diversity. Multicultural events, student-led initiatives and institutional support for religious freedom are a few examples. Through them, cultural obstacles are more easily overcome, allowing international and local students to engage in meaningful, cross-cultural interactions.

Describing a recent African cultural event and how the Portuguese could learn from African culture, a leader from one private university said: “One of the sociologists who spoke, an African, said: ‘My dear friends, do not forget what we are losing coming here … We are losing that which is most important in the African spirit, the community spirit.’ So I grabbed these Portuguese friends and said ‘my friends, listen to him and think about it. They are losing and we are winning’.”

‘Home from home’ care

The effort to create a welcoming environment is especially pronounced in Portugal’s public polytechnics. Known for enrolling students from diverse backgrounds, these institutions are relying on assets such as their smaller size and community-driven ethos.

One polytechnic representative spoke about their institution’s close-knit feel and how they saw their students as individuals, not numbers. They knew them by name; they were part of the community.

This personalised care starts before students even arrive in Portugal, with some institutions offering airport pick-ups, helping with accommodation and even guiding students to find food familiar to their home cultures.

This focus on proximity and care extends to academic support. Tailored Portuguese language courses, specialised tutoring and a close monitoring system aim to ensure that international students have what they need for academic success.

The head of a polytechnic described how teaching staff respond to struggling students by saying: “If the alarm bell rings, we act immediately, and the students are summoned and monitored. And this allows us, in fact, to develop a close proximity and identification with them.”

Integration beyond the campus

In one rural polytechnic, we found an even more innovative approach. International students living in residence halls are not charged for accommodation in the usual sense. Instead of rent, they give back through community service related to their studies. Sports students lead exercise classes for the elderly and nursing students offer nursing services.

This unique arrangement has transformed the university’s residences from half-empty buildings to full-capacity community hubs, with many international students on waiting lists.

The initiative has created a ripple effect, enriching both the student experience and the local community. It provides international students with a deeper, more meaningful connection to their surroundings while addressing the institution’s need to integrate students more fully.

“Integration is not transforming a Brazilian into a European; it is celebrating difference and putting it to the service of others,” said a polytechnic administrator.

Turning challenges into strengths

These initiatives are responses to several challenges. Private and polytechnic institutions often lack the resources and prestige of larger public universities, and they are generally absent from international rankings. Yet, they have managed to turn their disadvantages into strengths.

Smaller student bodies allow staff to provide more individualised attention. A strong sense of community has become a distinguishing feature that draws students from abroad, especially those from countries where Portuguese is the primary language.

One polytechnic institution even offers financial assistance to struggling students, demonstrating great commitment to their welfare. As one interviewee noted: “Normally our students do not leave because of economic difficulties. That doesn’t happen in big urban centres and bigger institutions where they are just a number.”

An alternative model

The novel integration strategies adopted in these lesser-known Portuguese institutions may provide a model for other countries on the periphery of the global higher education landscape.

Although the dominant narrative in international education has long been about the allure of top-ranked universities, Portugal’s experience suggests that smaller, less prestigious institutions can create a distinct niche by offering something that is more elusive for larger universities: a sense of belonging.

International students experience higher levels of satisfaction when they feel a genuine connection to the university environment. These feelings of connectedness are not just good for the students; they are good for the institutions, too. Word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied students can boost future recruitment and help these institutions gain a foothold in the increasingly competitive market for international students.

Portugal’s less attractive institutions may be providing a blueprint for how to attract international students without relying on rankings or prestige. By focusing on personalised care, multicultural environments and innovative integration initiatives like community service in exchange for accommodation, they create a sustainable model that both supports students and enriches the wider community.

As the global landscape of higher education continues to evolve, these lesser-known institutions try to compete with the elite by offering something different, uniquely welcoming, connected and inclusive. For countries and institutions seeking to increase their international student numbers, this strategy may be worth considering.

Cristina Sin is an assistant professor at Lusófona University and a researcher at the Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Education and Development (CeiED), Portugal. Orlanda Tavares is a researcher at the Research Centre on Child Studies (CIEC) of the Institute of Education, University of Minho, Portugal. Joyce Aguiar is a researcher at Centre for Research in Higher Education Policies (CIPES), Portugal. The three authors are active members of the COST Action ENIS: European Network on International Student Mobility (CA20115). This commentary is based on an academic article that examines strategies for the integration of international students in Portuguese higher education institutions.

This article is a commentary. Commentary articles are the opinion of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of University World News.