An Exploration of International Student Experiences and Decision-Making Processes

• In Event: 45.094 - Sheraton Roundtable Session Seven - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 45.094-2 - Student Success in Study Abroad and Global Higher Education

Abstract

In recent years, community colleges have increased efforts to attract more international students by creating more support offices and programs explicitly serving specific international student needs. As international student population increases within community colleges, (Institute of International Education, 2017), this qualitative study uses a funds of knowledge framework and narrative inquiry approach to understand how international students in community colleges facilitate their career decision-making. Four main themes resulted from this study: employment opportunities as a source of stress and anxiety; heavy family influence in decision-making; positive social and academic moments; and English language development as a barrier. Results highlight how international students activate their funds of knowledge to succeed in higher education and suggest more humanizing research on this population.

Authors

• Destiny D McLennan, University of California - Los Angeles

• Sidronio Jacobo, University of California - Los Angeles