scholarly journals Thriving in Graduate School as an International Student: How to Combat the Hidden Costs and Barriers

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Sayuri Dominguez ◽  
Seo-young Silvia Kim
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Graduate School ◽  
International Student ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
International Status

International students face various hidden costs that pose potential barriers to thriving in graduate school. In this chapter, we lay out several types of hidden costs: (1) higher expenses and time needed for the international status, (2) adjusting to living in a new country and its cultural differences, and (3) biases and racism. We emphasize that the success and happiness of international students depend on the department and the committee’s understanding of these hidden costs. We highlight strategies that international students can take as well as point-by-point advice for the supporters of international students.

scholarly journals The Forgotten Half: Understanding the Unique Needs of International Student Partners

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-458
Author(s):  
Danni Lei ◽  
Jon D. Woodend ◽  
Sarah K. Nutter ◽  
Alyssa R. Ryan ◽  
Sharon L. Cairns
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Student Adjustment ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Familial Support ◽  
Successful Student ◽  
Mainstream Culture ◽  
Access Services

With the increasing enrollment of international students in North American universities, the need to support the adjustment of international students has also increased. One factor consistently identified as essential to successful student adjustment is having a strong support network, including familial support. Previous research investigating the needs of international students’ partners is limited and has suggested that partners may face greater barriers to adjustment than international students. The current study was conducted to better understand the needs of partners as well as potential barriers they face when attempting to access services. Although limited by sample size, the results suggested that partners are interested in increased support in helping their transition to local living and mainstream culture.

scholarly journals International Students, Reflection, and Employability

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (S2) ◽  
pp. i-v
Author(s):  
Mary Ryan ◽  
Georgina Barton
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
International Student ◽  
Reflective Thinking ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Career Advice

The International Student Barometer indicates international students’ interest in work experience, career advice and employment post-study. A necessary skill for all graduates is the ability to be able to reflect on and in professional practice, yet there is limited research that explores reflection, the teaching of reflective thinking, and reflexivity for international students. Our research has shown that international students may approach the process of reflection differently due to their cultural differences so it is important that universities acknowledge and consider further ways in which to teach and assess reflection for international students. This special issue shares 7 papers related to international students and reflection by drawing on Rodgers’ four functions of reflection. We hope that the special issue is of value to the journal’s readership, particularly in regard to assisting both academic and support staff in universities with their work on reflection with international students.

Picture This: A Photovoice Study Of International Students’ Food Experience in Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Amos ◽  
Daphne Lordly
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
International Student ◽  
Culture Shock ◽  
Traditional Foods ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Canadian Universities ◽  
Food Experience ◽  
International University

Purpose: International student enrolment in Canadian universities is increasing. As international university students acculturate, they experience a culture shock in which food plays a major role. International university students’ Canadian food experiences therefore were explored. Methods: A Photovoice methodology was used with 15 international undergraduate and graduate university students, who were recruited to take pictures of their food experiences. They also participated in two focus group discussions that included an analysis of their photos. Results: Seven themes related to the significance of food in acculturation were revealed: the paradox of Canadian convenience, the equation of traditional foods with health, traditional food quality and accessibility, support networks, food consumption for comfort, ethnic restaurants, and the exploration of non-traditional foods. Maintaining cultural identity with traditional foods was an overarching theme related to acculturation. Conclusions: International students acculturating to Canada have emotional and physical needs, which can be met through food. Opportunities exist to improve their acculturation experiences. Canadian universities can incorporate food acculturation strategies into campus events and menus. Nutrition professionals on campus can facilitate a positive food environment and nurture culture identity formation.

scholarly journals International Students’ Perceptions of Workplace Experiences in Australian Study Programs: A Large-Scale Survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina Barton ◽  
Kay Hartwig ◽  
Anh Hai Le
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
International Student ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Workplace Experiences ◽  
Workplace Experience ◽  
Foreign Countries ◽  
Study Programs ◽  
Large Scale Survey ◽  
Work Integrated Learning

Across the globe, there are increased numbers of students undertaking university-level study in foreign countries. Many of the programs they enroll in include a workplace experience (also known as work integrated learning, internship, and/or practicum). The Work Placement for International Student Programs (WISP) project was conducted across Australia and aimed to identify current practices related to international students’ workplace experiences as well as develop resources to improve these experiences overall. This article focuses on an Australian large-scale survey ( n = 252) designed to explore international students perceptions of workplace experiences. Results showed that students rated overall workplace experience highly; however, their confidence in completing assessment items where reflection and self-evaluation were required was a concern. Students also rated self-perception of employability as uncertain despite having positive experiences in the workplace context. Findings showed that there is a need for universities to better support international students in completing reflective and self-evaluative assessment. In addition, more work needs to be done to improve confidence levels of international students around employability.

scholarly journals The role of international student interactions in English as a lingua franca in L2 acquisition, L2 motivational development and intercultural learning during study abroad

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-517
Author(s):  
Gianna Hessel
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
International Student ◽  
L2 Acquisition ◽  
Intercultural Learning ◽  
Lingua Franca ◽  
Student Interactions ◽  
European Universities ◽  
Intercultural Interactions ◽  
The Uk

Crossing borders features prominently as a theme in study abroad, not only in terms of students’ physical border crossings but also in their intercultural interactions with second language (L2) speakers whose background (linguistic and otherwise) they may perceive as markedly different from their own. Researchers have had a long-standing interest in study abroad participants’ interactions with other L2 speakers abroad for their perceived potential to enhance L2 development, L2 motivation and intercultural learning processes. The focus of existing studies in this area has been on the interactions of study abroad participants with host national students, while their interactions with other international students who are also L2 users abroad have received far less attention, despite the ever-growing international student populations at European universities. This study examined students’ views regarding the role that lingua franca (LF) interactions with other international students played in their L2 acquisition, their L2 motivational development and their intercultural learning during study abroad. The data were derived from an empirical study that involved 81 German ERASMUS students who were studying in the UK for up to one academic year. The students’ views were elicited at the end of their stay with open-ended questionnaire items, and their verbal responses were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The analysis of the students’ reflections revealed a number of functions in each of the three areas, highlighting the potential of international student interactions as a viable source of L2 acquisition, L2 self-motivation, and intercultural learning during study abroad.

scholarly journals International Student Experience at US Community Colleges at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Whatley
Keyword(s):  
Community College ◽  
Community Colleges ◽  
International Students ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
International Student ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
College Leaders ◽  
Residency Status ◽  
The Impact

This study’s purpose is to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international students who were studying at US community colleges at the onset of this public health crisis. While previous work has explored the impact of the pandemic on international students generally, we argue that community college international students deserve focused attention due to their potentially marginalized status on their campuses. Using a mixed-methods research approach, we analyze survey and focus group data provided by 17 randomly-selected community college educators. Our results speak to two overarching themes: the supports provided to students at the onset of the pandemic (and educators reasons for providing these specific supports) and the unique impact of the pandemic on community college international students due to their citizenship or residency status. These findings have important implications for community college leaders and international educators as they work with international students during future times of crisis.

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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