The International Student Experience: A Case Study at One American University Open Access
Adams, Zakiya (2014)
Published
Abstract
The purpose of this case study was to elucidate the international student experience as it pertains to navigating cultural and educational differences between the home country and the United States and forming an identity within the new United States context. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with six undergraduate international students from an elite southeastern university to collect data for this study. The participants came from China, India, and the Caribbean. International students interviewed in this study had distinct experiences of adjustment and identity formation that were influenced by various factors, including level of exposure to U.S. culture before arriving in the United States, support from friends, home culture and education, and future goals. Participants sought familiarity and engaged in extra-curricular activities to help with their adjustment. The cultural and educational challenges faced by the international students, along with the way in which international students were perceived by students who do not originate from their home country, affected participants' identities within the new environment as they made adjustments to themselves, their practices, and their beliefs. These findings highlight the need for greater support programs to assist international students with both general and individual needs. Additionally, institutions, faculty, and domestic students need to be made aware of the international students' experience, in order to better facilitate their adjustment.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Statement of the Problem................................................................................................................................
Purpose of the Study...............................................................................................................................................
Research Questions.................................................................................................................................................
Significance............................................................................................................................................................
Definition of Terms..................................................................................................................................................
1 4 5 5 7Chapter 2: Review of the Literature..................................................................................................................................
Education in Home Country.......................................................................................................................................
Adjusting to the United States..................................................................................................................................
Identity Formation within the United States................................................................................................................
9 10 16 19Chapter 3: Methodology..................................................................................................................................................
Research Design.....................................................................................................................................................
Sample..................................................................................................................................................................Data Collection.......................................................................................................................................................
Analysis................................................................................................................................................................. 23 23 24 25 26Chapter 4: Findings........................................................................................................................................................
Navigating Cultural Differences.................................................................................................................................
Navigating Educational Differences............................................................................................................................
Constructing an Identity...........................................................................................................................................
27 29 39 48Chapter 5: Discussion.....................................................................................................................................................
Navigating Cultural Differences.................................................................................................................................
Navigating Educational Differences............................................................................................................................
Constructing an Identity...........................................................................................................................................
Limitations.............................................................................................................................................................Implications for Research and Practice.......................................................................................................................
Conclusion............................................................................................................................................................. 53 53 57 60 62 62 64 References.................................................................................................................................................................... 66 Appendix A: Letter of Initial Contact................................................................................................................................. 69Appendix B: Participant Consent Form...............................................................................................................................
70Appendix C: Semi-structured Interview Guide.....................................................................................................................
73About this Honors Thesis
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