{"id":4962,"date":"2025-11-17T09:00:40","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T09:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/?p=4962"},"modified":"2025-11-13T10:38:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T10:38:18","slug":"international-students-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/2025\/11\/17\/international-students-day\/","title":{"rendered":"International Students Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

International Students Day<\/u><\/strong><\/h1>\n

As well as promoting diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism, International Students\u2019 Day<\/strong><\/a> also acknowledges and commemorates the students who organised a peaceful protest at the University of Prague on 17 November 1939<\/strong> against Germany\u2019s occupation of Czechoslovakia (now known as the Czech Republic and Slovakia\u00a0). On that day, Nazi forces stormed the university; more than 1,200 student activists were arrested and sent to concentration camps, and their leaders were executed without trial. In retaliation, all Czech higher education institutions, including universities and colleges, were closed by the Nazis.<\/p>\n

To honour the bravery, actions, and sacrifices of these student activists, International Students\u2019 Day<\/strong> is observed every year on 17 November<\/strong>\u2014the anniversary of the 1939 protests. These tragic events ultimately sparked widespread public outrage and further demonstrations, which would later contribute to the fall of the communist government and the rise of a democratic state in Czechoslovakia.<\/p>\n

Today, this international observance represents and promotes academic liberation, unity and the significance of equal access to education worldwide.<\/p>\n

Celebrating International Students…<\/em><\/h3>\n

There are approximately over six million international students enrolled in universities across the globe today. While all students can face a range of difficulties and challenges throughout their school, college and university years, international students can often be faced with a high number of challenges and hardships, including visa limitations, language barriers, financial pressures, along with currency differences, and homesickness, which coincides with feelings of loneliness as well. They will often have to leave behind family and travel and live millions of miles away from home to study at university. They may also not have the same or any access to any of the loans or funding options which are made available to home students. International Students Day raises recognition of and acknowledges these difficulties that international students can face throughout their university careers and lives, and the importance of making education affordable and equal for all. It also encourages all educational establishments and fellow students to help create a supportive and welcoming environment for all as well.<\/p>\n

At Edinburgh Napier University, we have many support services available and teams which can help and assist you with various fundamental aspects of university life as well as any upcoming assignments and exams. Some of these teams include:<\/p>\n