scholarly journals A Study of the First Year International Students at a Canadian University: Challenges and Experiences with Social Integration

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Zhou ◽  
Zuochen Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
International Students ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
First Year ◽  
Retention Model ◽  
New Learning ◽  
Comprehensive Picture

An increasing number of international students come to Canada for their higher education. As a unique group on Canadian campuses, international students deserve our attention so that we can understand their special needs. Using Tinto’s retention model as a theoretical framework, this study investigates the experiences of the first year international students at a Canadian university. It pays special attention to the challenges these students face in the process of their social integration into the new learning and living environment. Data were collected through surveys and focus groups. Data analysis reveals a comprehensive picture of international students’ socialization patterns and challenges. Since student retention has been a central concern for many universities, the findings of this study are informative for higher education institutions to optimize their services to meet international students’ preferences and needs.

scholarly journals Analysis of Tinto’s student integration theory in first-year undergraduate computing students of a UK higher education institution

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 97-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandros Chrysikos ◽  
Ejaz Ahmed ◽  
Rupert Ward
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Integration Theory ◽  
First Year ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Integration ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Uk Higher Education

Purpose Retention is one of the key performance indicators in university quality assurance processes. The purpose of this paper is to identify the causes leading to low retention rates for first-year undergraduate computing students in a UK higher education institution (HEI). Design/methodology/approach The study applies Tinto’s student integration theory, and connects it with the behavioural patterns of students. Data were collected from 901 students using Pascarella and Terenzini’s questionnaire (integration scales). This data were combined with student enrolment information and analysed using the structural equation modelling technique. Findings The study results indicate that Tinto’s student integration theory is useful in analysing student retention, but this accounts for only a modest amount of variance in retention. Nevertheless, important relationships amongst student’s initial and later academic goals and commitments have been identified through this new approach to analysing retention. The largest direct effect on retention was accounted for by initial goals and institutional commitments, followed by later goals and institutional commitments. In addition, the results show that academic and social integration constructs can have an influence on the student retention processes. When all, or some, of these relationships are operating towards students’ benefits, appropriate services or programmes, such as student support systems, can have their maximum benefits. Originality/value The authors mapped behavioural-related retention factors using a learning community lens. The study explored students’ social and learning experiences within the context of a UK HEI by employing Tinto’s model. This is the first time the model has been tested in this context.

A Multilevel Approach to Assessing the Interaction Effects on College Student Retention

2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyan Bai ◽  
Wei Pan
Keyword(s):  
College Student ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
First Year ◽  
College Student Retention ◽  
Multilevel Approach ◽  
The Social ◽  
First Year Retention

The present study utilizes a multilevel approach to assess the effects of four different types of intervention on college student retention, focusing on the interaction effects between the student characteristics and the types of intervention. The program effects on a 3-year trend are also explored. The findings of the present study reveal that the social integration programs improved the first-year retention rates for female students, the advising programs and the social integration programs worked better in the first year for students from more selective colleges within the university, and the first-year experience programs had a significant lasting effect across the 3 years on retention for elder students and male students. It is also found that the advising programs were significantly more effective on the first-year retention rates than the general orientation programs. This study provides empirical evidence for researchers and administrators in higher education to improve the effectiveness of intervention programs for students with specific characteristics.

scholarly journals Communities of practice for international students: An exploration of the role of Peer Assisted Study Sessions in supporting transition and learning in higher education

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Chilvers
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Independent Study ◽  
First Year ◽  
Legitimate Peripheral Participation ◽  
Community Practice ◽  
Mutual Engagement ◽  
University Life

There is growing interest in understanding how international students can best be enabled to adjust to, participate in and learn within Higher Education (HE). This paper explores literature and examines findings from exploratory interviews in a UK institution in order to investigate the contribution the Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) scheme makes to this process.Interviews with international students were analysed using Lave and Wenger’s (1991) social-learning model, Communities of Practice (CoP), for exploring the role of PASS in supporting international students’ transition and learning in HE. Using themes of community, practice and participation, findings illuminated the role of PASS in providing international students with an intermediary CoP, providing transition support into the CoP on their course and university life. PASS facilitated their social integration with students of other nationalities, developing relationships with peers and PASS leaders, contributing to an increased sense of belonging to a community. Through the mutual engagement of attendees and leaders, students developed shared language, values and practices relating to their discipline and studying in UK HE. Established PASS leaders shared first year experiences with ‘newcomer’ international students, supporting their transition into UK HE culture and enabling their legitimate peripheral participation to develop further. Participation in PASS fostered students’ engagement with learning activities and independent study habits. Limitations to the study and suggestions for further research are discussed.

scholarly journals Navigating the First Year: Transition and Adjustment Experiences of International Students of Color at a Predominantly White Institution

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina W. Yao ◽  
Jennifer N. Rutt ◽  
Kaleb Briscoe ◽  
Alexandra Kirshenbaum ◽  
Matthew W. Knight ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Students Of Color ◽  
International Student ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
The United States ◽  
First Year ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Predominantly White Institution ◽  
White Institution

International student mobility has been a highly discussed topic in higher education in the United States (U.S.). Yet current geo-political issues necessitate a re-examination of how international students, especially those who would be considered students of Color, are transitioning to U.S. higher education institutions. Findings from three interviews that spanned participants’ first year on campus include the importance of social interactions, challenges with academic adjustments, and navigating the effects of politics. Suggestions for student affairs practice are addressed, including pre-sojourn connections and peer engagement.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Administrative Intensity and Student Retention and Success: A Three-Year Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Romine ◽  
Rose Baker ◽  
Karla Romine
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
Postsecondary Education ◽  
Graduation Rates ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Secondary Data Analysis ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Education Student ◽  
Data Set

Through the lens of complexity theory and by utilizing the methodological framework set forth in Gander’s 1999 article regarding internal and external organizational elements of administrative intensity, this secondary data analysis study linked the internal organizational elements of administrative intensity to institutional results as evidenced by higher education student retention and graduation rates. Representing institutional investments, efforts, and outcomes from 2004 to 2014, three years of data reporting were gathered from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Set (IPEDS) and were then cleaned per secondary data analysis techniques. Using canonical correlation analysis, the internal elements of administrative intensity were correlated with student retention and success. Findings indicate the relationships of internal elements of higher education institutions on student retention and success, which was measured by four-year, six-year, and eight-year graduation rates. The discussion includes education policy implications.

A Review of Activity Theory Studies of Domestic and International Students Using Technology in Higher Education

2013 ◽  
pp. 126-147
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
International Students ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Mediated Learning ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Collection Data ◽  
Theory Use ◽  
Learning Data

This chapter serves as an introduction to the two studies featured in Section 2 (Chapters 7-10). It presents a review of a decade (2002-2012) of nine Activity Theory studies from peer-reviewed journals of higher education students’ learning in technology-mediated contexts. The review is organized around the following elements: purpose; rationale for Activity Theory use; summary of technology use; focus on technology-mediated learning; data collection; data analysis; findings, conclusions, and implications. The methods section provides an overview of why the nine studies were included while others were excluded. The chapter includes a comparison of the nine studies with those presented in Section 2, Chapters 7-10.

scholarly journals International students’ transitions to UK Higher Education – revisiting the concept and practice of academic hospitality

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef Ploner
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
First Year ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Student Transition ◽  
Education Practice ◽  
Uk Higher Education

With the increasing mobility of international students to UK universities, the appropriate facilitation of their transition remains a critical issue in terms of higher education practice and research. Much existing research and practice is characterised by assimilationist approaches to transition where international students are seen to ‘adapt to’ and ‘fit in’ seemingly uniform host environments. This study however draws on the concept of ‘academic hospitality’ (Bennett, 2000; Phipps & Barnett, 2007) to develop a more nuanced stance which emphasises reciprocity between academic ‘hosts’ and ‘guests’. The findings presented here emerge from semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of international students who spent their first year abroad at a well-established UK university. Elaborating on different experiences and forms of academic hospitality (material, virtual, epistemological, linguistic and touristic), the paper contributes to a refined theorisation of international student transition. It also offers valuable insights for academic practitioners and policy makers who seek sensible approaches to internationalisation.

scholarly journals THE DIFFICULTIES AND PROBLEMS FACED BY INDONESIAN STUDENTS WHILE STUDYING IN AN AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Saiful
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
First Year ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
Language Problems ◽  
Quality In Higher Education

One of the issues that relates to Indonesian international students’ perceptions about the quality of higher education is with regards to the difficulties and problems they face while studying in an Australian university. A survey was conducted with 78 First Year to Fourth Year Indonesian international undergraduate students undergoing a range of programs and courses at a university in Australia to determine their perspective of quality in higher education. Further interviews were carried out with nine Indonesian international students to gain insights into their difficulties and learning experiences. Based on these interviews, the three main difficulties highlighted by Indonesianinternational students are: different learning styles, cultural barriers and language problems. This paper seeks to highlight the initial problems faced by Indonesian international students in terms of learning styles and how they strive to overcome these difficulties through discussions and practice. These findings present implications for the use of appropriate teaching strategies with Indonesian international students.

A Review of Activity Theory Studies of Domestic and International Students Using Technology in Higher Education

2018 ◽  
pp. 1875-1897
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Murphy ◽  
María A. Rodríguez-Manzanares
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
International Students ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Mediated Learning ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Collection Data ◽  
Theory Use ◽  
Learning Data

This chapter serves as an introduction to the two studies featured in Section 2 (Chapters 7-10). It presents a review of a decade (2002-2012) of nine Activity Theory studies from peer-reviewed journals of higher education students' learning in technology-mediated contexts. The review is organized around the following elements: purpose; rationale for Activity Theory use; summary of technology use; focus on technology-mediated learning; data collection; data analysis; findings, conclusions, and implications. The methods section provides an overview of why the nine studies were included while others were excluded. The chapter includes a comparison of the nine studies with those presented in Section 2, Chapters 7-10.

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