This study uses the agentic capability theory of Albert Bandura (Bandura 2009; 2012) as its lens to explore international students' experiences in a South African higher educational institution. The agentic capability theory "adopts an agentic perspective toward human development, adaptation, and change" (Bandura 2006:164). This implies that international students as assets and human agency developed physically, emotionally, and holistically when they leave their home environment to study in their host environment which, in this case, is South African and their development is also based on the different enabling factors within their learning environment that assist them to adapt to their new environment and become change agents. This study was conducted at one of the campuses of a selected university in the Kwa Zulu-Natal province of South Africa. The sample was international students in their undergraduate and postgraduate level of study who were between the ages of 19-45 years old. The method employed in this study was a photovoice method, and a focus group discussion (FGDs). The participants were able to identify several barriers or challenges they were currently experiencing in their learning environment which need to be addressed within their learning context. The various challenges that are needed to be addressed were derived from the macro environment, which is the broader community (for example socio-economic and socio-cultural barrier); the microenvironment i.e. university (local students, administrative staff and university policies) and mesoenvironment (psychological challenges).