This study shifts the tendency to focus on international students’ negative experiences of undertaking education in a host country to a group that enjoys an elevated level of support. By looking at international student-athletes compared with non-athletes, it is shown how the former group experiences the benefits of social capital. Insights relating to international student-athletes in the US reveal strong and ongoing support from coaches and teammates. It is shown that international student-athletes have far greater support structures compared with international non-athletes. In doing so, this study presents a new perspective to debates on what higher education institutions in host countries can do to support their international student populations.

中文翻译：

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国际学生运动员和非运动员的社会资本和美国大学经历

这项研究将关注国际学生在东道国接受教育的负面经历的趋势转移到了一个享有更高水平支持的群体。通过将国际学生运动员与非运动员进行比较，可以看出前者如何体验社会资本的好处。与美国国际学生运动员相关的见解显示，教练和队友提供了强大而持续的支持。结果表明，与国际非运动员相比，国际学生运动员的支持结构要大得多。在这样做的过程中，这项研究为关于东道国高等教育机构可以做些什么来支持其国际学生群体的辩论提供了一个新的视角。