Understanding the Heterogeneity of International Students’ Experiences: A Case Study of Chinese International Students in U.S. Universities

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 607-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tang T. Heng
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
International Student ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Small Extent ◽  
Chinese International Students ◽  
Content Preparation ◽  
Heterogeneous Nature

Scholars have critiqued the current understanding of international students for glossing over its diversity, resulting in the reification of the “international student experience” as either homogeneous or clustered along nationality. Through a qualitative case study of 18 Chinese international students, this article examines the heterogeneity of their experiences despite a common nationality. Findings reveal that Chinese international students’ communication in English, engagement with subject content, preparation for the future, and participation in extracurricular activities vary by year of study, field of study, and, to a small extent, gender. Even within a single nationality, experiences of students are uneven and intersect across various categorical lines, suggesting the possibility that other international students may encounter diverse and intersectional experiences as well. Findings point to how we need to re-conceive and research international students by examining the heterogeneous nature of their experiences, and how higher education institutions can differentiate support given to internationals.

scholarly journals Social Networking Sites and Educational Adaptation in Higher Education: A Case Study of Chinese International Students in New Zealand

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Cao ◽  
Tingting Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
International Students ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Online Social Networks ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Educational Environment ◽  
Chinese International Students ◽  
The Relationship

This study aims to find out the relationship between the use of SNSs and educational adaptation process of Chinese international students (from China) in New Zealand. Based on interview data, this paper addressed how Chinese international students use SNSs (RenRen, Facebook, etc.) to expand and manage their online social networks to help their adaptation to new educational environment. As a case study of Chinese international students in New Zealand and from the narrative of students, we examined the relationship among educational difficulties, life satisfaction, and the use of SNSs. This study would help in further understanding how and why SNSs can be adopted in higher education to support effective overseas learning experiences.

International Student Mobility, Government Policies, and Neoliberal Globalization

2018 ◽  
pp. 49-63
Author(s):  
Jie Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Graduate Student ◽  
International Student ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
Chinese Student ◽  
Government Policies ◽  
International Student Mobility

Given the increasing magnitude of international student flows from “developing countries” to the “developed” or major member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), this chapter explores Chinese graduate student flows to Canada. Chinese graduate student perspectives are also drawn upon to study the phenomenon of Chinese student migrations to Canada in pursuit of higher education. Given the focus on exploration, meanings and understandings, an interpretivist approach and qualitative case study strategy were utilized to examine government policies and positions that stimulate international student mobility (ISM) from China to Canada and to understand the experiences of Chinese graduate students who study at the University of Alberta. Unlike the ISM mainly sponsored by the Chinese government before, contemporary outbound student mobility is impacted by neoliberalism and a freer mobility shapes Chinese students' pursuit of overseas studies. Chinese traditional culture and values also influence Chinese student mobility across borders for pursuing higher education. In the meantime, patriotism makes many Chinese students concern about serving their home country. The chapter also presents reflections on government policies pertaining to ISM and highlights the emergent themes from the data obtained from the qualitative case study of Chinese graduate student flows to Canada.

scholarly journals Using the QFD Matrix as a Major Continuous Improvement Tool to Improve Organizational Quality

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Mansour Mohsin ◽  
Fernando F. Padró ◽  
Karen Trimmer
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
International Student ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Central Piece ◽  
Different Parts

This is a case study of an Australian higher education institution (HEI) using quality function deployment (QFD) to identify areas of improvement in serving and meeting the needs of international students enrolled at this university. The composite institution reflects what is currently happening at the time of this writing as part of a process of determining international student needs and ensuring that these are met while meeting academic and institutional requirements (IR). The use of QFD fills a major gap since most methodologies practiced do not focus on either capturing the international students' voice or align these with IRs to enhance the opportunities for successful completion of a degree and meeting student personal and professional expectations. Results are incomplete at this time and thus cannot be reported, but a discussion of the approach is provided, and initial observations are presented to adequately describe the use of QFD and processes and tools used to complete different parts are the central piece of the process, the house of quality (HoQ).

scholarly journals International Student Spouses and the English Language

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1172-1190
Author(s):  
Adam Thomas Grimm ◽  
Dana Kanhai ◽  
Jessica Landgraf
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
International Student ◽  
English Language ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Advanced Degree ◽  
Midwestern University ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Study Techniques

In the context of the internationalization of U.S. higher education, millions of international students have come to study at U.S. institutions. Some students, particularly those pursuing advanced degree, bring their spouses. As part of a larger study, we set out to examine the experiences of international student spouses at a Midwestern university. This article examines the experiences from the perspective of grappling with the English language, a theme cross-cutting through spouses’ experiences. Experiences with English, the focus of this article, are both a discrete element of spouses’ lived experiences and a useful way to understand challenges and opportunities not directly related to language. Utilizing qualitative case study techniques, we found that English language is experienced through anxieties as well as ambitions by the participants in our study. 

scholarly journals A model of the factors affecting international postgraduate students’ pursuit of degrees: A case study

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-69
Author(s):  
Desmond Wesley Govender ◽  
Sujit Kumar Basak
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Stress Accommodation ◽  
Graduate International Students ◽  
University Experience ◽  
Academic Degrees

The aim of this paper is to present a model of the factors affecting international students’ pursuit of their academic degrees in tertiary institutions. This was achieved by identifying factors that commonly affect international postgraduate students. This was a questionnaire based case study with a sample of 24 post-graduate international students from one university in KwaZulu-Natal. Questionnaires were analysed using SPSS (version 21.0) and WarpPLS (4.0). WarpPLS (4.0) was used to draw up a statistically based model regarding the factors affecting international students in pursuit of their academic degrees. Results from the model show that financial stress, accommodation challenges, cultural shock, loneliness/homesick, communication skills and evaluation of their (previous) university experience affect students in their pursuit of their academic degrees in higher education. These findings could be used by students themselves to make them aware of possible challenges that lie ahead as well as by staff in international student offices at higher education institutions.

scholarly journals Using the QFD Matrix as a Major Continuous Improvement Tool to Improve Organizational Quality

2021 ◽  
pp. 763-789
Author(s):  
Ahmed Mansour Mohsin ◽  
Fernando F. Padró ◽  
Karen Trimmer
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
International Student ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Central Piece ◽  
Different Parts

This is a case study of an Australian higher education institution (HEI) using quality function deployment (QFD) to identify areas of improvement in serving and meeting the needs of international students enrolled at this university. The composite institution reflects what is currently happening at the time of this writing as part of a process of determining international student needs and ensuring that these are met while meeting academic and institutional requirements (IR). The use of QFD fills a major gap since most methodologies practiced do not focus on either capturing the international students' voice or align these with IRs to enhance the opportunities for successful completion of a degree and meeting student personal and professional expectations. Results are incomplete at this time and thus cannot be reported, but a discussion of the approach is provided, and initial observations are presented to adequately describe the use of QFD and processes and tools used to complete different parts are the central piece of the process, the house of quality (HoQ).

scholarly journals Empowered to Serve?: Higher Education International Center Directors and Their Roles on Campus Internationalization

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Garcia ◽  
Jon McNaughtan ◽  
Xinyang Li ◽  
Mi Chelle Leong ◽  
Andrew Scott Herridge
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Student Growth ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
The World ◽  
Or Manager

Colleges across the world have increased the representation of international students. This increase is associated with a desire to globalize, while others see international student growth as an opportunity for additional revenue, with some past research labeling these students the “cash cow." The services offered to these students has been called into question and little research has been dedicated to the supports that institutions offer. Some institutions have sought to centralize the supports they give students through the development of a center dedicated to international students, that is led by a director or manager. Our study focuses on the role and empowerment of these international center leaders. We utilized a multi-institution case study approach, guided by the empowerment framework. Findings include international center directors reporting their sense of empowerment is founded in their desire to serve, sense of autonomy and the sense of meaning they find engaging in the work.

scholarly journals International Student Mobility

2018 ◽  
pp. 15-30
Author(s):  
Rashim Wadhwa
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Internationalization Of Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Core Element ◽  
International Student Mobility ◽  
The Core

International student mobility is the core element of the internationalization of higher education. In recent years, a significant change has been observed in the outlook of individuals which is giving a boost to this phenomenon. Within this context, the present chapter analyzed the phenomenon of international student mobility through different approaches by providing critical outlook. An attempt has been made to list the important determinants which influence the decision-making process of international students.

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