Beyond #FeesMustFall: International students, fees and everyday agency in the era of decolonisation. Issue 109 (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Raghuram, Parvati; Breines, Markus Roos; Gunter, Ashley
• Is Part Of: Geoforum. Issue 109(2020)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Africa -- Higher education -- International student fees -- Student agency -- Proactive and reactive agency -- Decolonisation; Geography -- Periodicals; Human geography -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Periodicals; Sciences de la terre -- Périodiques; Géographie -- Périodiques; Géographie humaine -- Périodiques; Aménagement du territoire -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geography; Human geography; Regional planning; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 304.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2020.01.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-7185

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: In South Africa, national student fees have hit the headlines as part of decolonisation debates. However, international students struggle to pay fees too. International students are not always privileged. Affording fees requires everyday agency from international students. Decolonisation must take on a pan-African vision and recognise international students' fee concerns. Abstract: The #FeesMustFall movement focused on the financial struggles of historically disadvantaged black students in South Africa. However, if decolonisation is to go beyond national boundaries and to incorporate pan-African visions fees must fall, not only in South Africa, but also for international students. Yet, international students and their financial situations are often overlooked in discussions over fees as they are seen as foreigners, or as privileged and seeking to reproduce advantage through international study. Although international fees cross-subsidise national students, international students are seen as an export category rather than at the level of the individual, so that the actual costs of study to the students is often ignored. This paper addresses that gap by examining how international distance education students studying at the University of South Africa (UNISA) navigate fees. We draw upon students' narratives to highlight the proactive and reactive agency they deploy to afford and manage fee payments. These quieter registers of everyday agency around fees demonstrate the entanglement of national and international fees in higher education. In particular, we suggest that focusing on international student fees raises important questions about whether lowering fees for higher education students, one part of the decolonisation agenda, should be contained within national borders.