Capturing Korean International Students' Lived Experiences Through PhotoVoice

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: International College Students' Experiences in the United States and Home: Perspectives From East Asia

Abstract

Research has shown that international students experience difficulties adapting to the host culture and their unique concerns are often neglected. Therefore, this study aimed to explore Korean international students’ lived experiences in the US through their voices. Using photovoice, which empowers individuals whose voices are not typically heard, this study has found six unique themes that reflect Korean international students’ experience in the US: difficulties with and stress from English, cultural differences, limitation and incompatibility of existing services, dilemma (goals vs. reality), beliefs on public perception of international students, and psychosocial experiences. These findings have important implications in that it has focused on analyzing lived experiences based on the voices of one of the underrepresented groups in US higher education.

Authors

• Nayoung Jang, The University of Iowa

• Sojeong Nam, The University of Iowa

• Jeongwoon Jeong, The University of Iowa

• Seowon Shin, The University of Iowa