Exploring overseas doctoral journeys: Experiences of negotiating identity as an international PhD student in Australia

International students embarking on doctoral studies abroad often grapple with profound identity conflicts. Their journey requires them to socialise into the host country while navigating the interplay between language, culture, stress, wellbeing, and identity. Research has examined academic identity among international students, but limited research exists regarding doctoral students. This study addresses this gap, illuminating how international PhD students in Australia navigate academic pursuits alongside the complexities of life abroad. Importantly, this study develops a novel model to understand international PhD student identity, demonstrating the interplay between students’ linguistic repertoires and wellbeing in identity construction.