An intersectional understanding of African international graduate students’ experiences in U.S. higher education.

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chrystal A. George Mwangi ◽  
Nyaradzai Changamire ◽  
Jacqueline Mosselson
2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Yuan Lin ◽  
Susan Day Scherz

Non-Native English Speaking (NNES) international students attending colleges and universities in the United States often encounter difficulties in adjusting to their new cultural environment. In addition, they often struggle with academic language while learning the content and conceptual structures of various graduate level disciplines. This phenomenological study identified cultural and linguistic challenges experienced by NNES Asian international graduate students at a mediumsized rural university in the northwestern United States. A pedagogical framework and recommendations for professional practice address the linguistic, cultural, and academic needs of this particular student population in higher education.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 68-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shakina Rajendram ◽  
Jeanne Sinclair ◽  
Elizabeth Larson

The internationalization of higher education in Canada has given rise to the increased use of standardized English language proficiency tests as gatekeeping measures in university admission policies. However, many international students who are successful on these tests still struggle with the academic and language demands of their programs. Drawing on a thematic analysis of life story interviews with five international graduate students at a major Canadian university, this study examines students’ perceptions on the skills elicited by the IELTS and TOEFL, the language demands and pragmatic norms of their graduate program in language education, and the university’s language support programs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasundhara Kaul ◽  
Linda Renzulli

International students have been a growing presence in U.S. higher education institutions for over a decade. However, how feelings of belonging shape their adjustment to these institutions has only recently become a subject of inquiry. In particular, there has been limited examination of how university-level factors interact with feelings of belonging to shape the persistence of international students within the U.S. This research takes a step towards addressing this scholarship gap by examining how social and academic belonging interact with the presence of on-campus co-nationals in engendering aspirations to persist in the U.S. after graduation for international graduate students. We demonstrate the presence of, what we call, an academic enclave effect wherein large communities of co-nationals have a positive influence on the aspirations of international students with initial low levels of social belonging.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (Winter) ◽  
pp. 107-109
Author(s):  
RACHAL ETSHIM

Higher education institutions in the United States (U.S.) recruit international students as part of their internationalization strategies. The overall number of international students enrolled in American universities and colleges between 2017 and 2018 increased by 1.5% compared to the previous year, totaling over 1 million international students (Institute of International Education 2018). Of this total, 382,983 are international graduate students. International graduate students are good resources for the internationalization and economy of higher education institutions in the U.S. (Urban and Palmer, 2014) and, despite the reduction in the number of visas approved and job prospects, their numbers continue to grow (Almurideef 2016; Killick 2015). These students come from different countries, have different cultural backgrounds and needs, and face different challenges that student affairs professionals at host institutions must address to integrate them into campus (Harper and Hurtado, 2007; Lee and Rice 2007). Moreover, the needs and challenges of international students differ depending on their level of studies, undergraduate vs. graduate (Rai 2002). While student affairs professionals are often the first contacts for all international students, and they play a key role in the integration and development of international graduate students on campus (Brandenburg 2016), most higher education institutions and their student affairs units today are not yet prepared to serve international graduate students (Arokiasamy 2011; Burdzinski 2014; Castellanos et al., 2007; Di Maria 2012; Moswela and Mukhopadhyay 2011; Yakaboski and Perozzi 2018). The purpose of this study is to understand the perspectives of student affairs professional about their role in integrating international graduate students into campus and the policies, services, programs, and other elements they consider most helpful in integrating these students.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 764-785
Author(s):  
Swathi Ravichandran ◽  
Mark Kretovics ◽  
Kara Kirby ◽  
Ankita Ghosh

Since 2000, there has been a 72% increase in the number of international students attending US institutions of higher education. The increase, specifically of international graduate students, has brought to light the writing challenges experienced by this population of students. This study explored specific writing challenges experienced by international graduate students and determined strategies to alleviate these challenges. Interviews were conducted with 15 international graduate students representing a variety of geographic backgrounds and disciplines. Responses revealed that writing challenges faced related to grammar and vocabulary, organization and flow of ideas, critical thinking, and plagiarism. Participants offered specific suggestions on how subject-matter faculty, friends, and peer mentors could assist in improving English-language writing skills. Implications for higher education institutions are discussed.


Author(s):  
Takahiro Sato ◽  
Samuel R. Hodge

The authors identify and discuss current issues and concerns of Asian international graduate students about their academic and social experiences in American higher education. International graduate students from countries outside of the U.S. are an important constituency for research institutions in America due to the added cultural richness they bring to the academy. However, many Asian international graduate students in U.S. encounter difficulty when attempting to acculturate and may have difficulty adjusting to their environment. This chapter includes discourse on academic and social challenges, time management difficulties, dueling agendas, and socioeconomic struggles. Important also, this chapter offers recommendations for Asian international students on American college and university campuses. Lastly to better support Asian international doctoral students, this chapter encourages academic departments, administrators, faculty, and all graduate students to learn to view themselves as playing various roles as academic advisors, teachers, and graduate students.


2013 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Sarah Mainich

From its earliest times, higher education transcended geographic boundaries so nowadays international students are a significant element of the social and cultural landscape of higher education, but international graduate students form a diverse group with different motivations for study and have become a sizeable segment of the student body in the Canadian higher educational system. However, this specific student population has not been completely understood and their diverse experiences have not been explained. This research paper deals with the issue of persistence among international graduate students enrolled at the Université de Montréal. Because the number of international graduate students has increased, strategic, social, and economic goals must be discussed. Hence, the purpose of this research is to develop a strong understanding of the factors influencing persistence and student success.  


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