The Relationships Among Educational Experiences, Learning, and Perception of Campus Climate for International Students

• In Event: Student Learning Environments

Abstract

This research project uses the constructive-developmental tradition, in the self-authorship framework of intercultural maturity (King & Magolda, 2005), to examine the extent to which twelve specific educational experiences may be associated with international undergraduates’ learning, development, and perception of campus climate. The study uses multiple regression analysis of a stratified random sample of international student respondents to the Global Perspectives Inventory (n=437). The results suggest that leadership programs, interactions with peers from similar cultural backgrounds, and courses where professors facilitate intergroup dialogue are associated with positive perceptions of campus climate. Leadership programs, community service, campus-organized diversity discussions, interactions with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, and courses with materials on race and ethnicity are associated with learning and development.

Author

• Chris R Glass, Old Dominion University