Exploring Civic Engagement of Immigrant College Students and Associated Factors

• In Event: 63.087 - Sheraton Roundtable Session 11 - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 63.087-9 - The Role of Affect and Identity in Social Studies Research

Abstract

This study investigates the current level of civic engagement and associated factors among Korean immigrant college students by using an online survey data from 62 participants and data drawn from semi-structured interviews and observations of 9 participants. Findings suggest: (a) Korean immigrant college students were most involved in volunteering activities and least engaged in political voice activities; (b) peer civic involvement was the only significant factor affecting the participants’ civic engagement; and (c) participatory citizenship significantly and positively influenced civic engagement, but ethnic identity had an even more significant influence. This study sheds light on how various educational contexts and identity-relevant factors affect the civic engagement of young Korean immigrants, whose civic engagement has been understudied.

Author

• Sunun Park, University of Washington - Seattle