How International Students Maintain Their National Identity While Living in Ireland? A Comprehensive Video Documentary Exploration of International Students’ Lives Abroad

Abstract

In recent years, Ireland has seen a steady rise in the number of international students choosing to live, work and study in the country, with Dublin emerging as a central hub for global education. This dissertation accompanies the documentary How International Students Maintain Their National Identity While Living in Ireland, to better understand this reality. Focusing on Dublin as both a symbolic and practical setting for cultural exchange, the documentary features students from various backgrounds, including both well-represented and lesser-represented communities, offering a balanced insight into shared experiences and challenges. Through in-depth interviews and visual storytelling, the project explores questions around cultural preservation, adaptation, and visibility in a new society. The written component of this research outlines the rationale behind the documentary, the academic context surrounding migration and identity theories, and a detailed account of the creative and technical process, from conceptualisation and interviews to editing and final production. The project also draws attention to structural issues faced by international students, such as housing difficulties and social integration, as highlighted during the research process. The findings suggest that students from less represented nationalities experience more difficulty maintaining their identity due to limited community support, while those from larger groups benefit from established cultural infrastructures. Nonetheless, all participants shared a common effort to hold on to cultural practices and identity markers as part of their daily routines abroad. This dissertation reflects on how creative media can be used as a tool for representation, education, and dialogue. It also suggests opportunities for future development, including expanding the documentary into a series or using it in intercultural training for Irish institutions. The project ultimately advocates for a deeper understanding of identity and inclusion in contemporary Irish society