The Lived Experiences of International Students in a Predominantly White Higher Education Institution in Southwest Florida

• In Event: Teaching International Students: Cultural Adaptation and Lived Experiences

Abstract

Yearly, thousands of international students come to the United States to pursue their education, facing challenges adapting to the lifestyle, culture, language, and education system. Previous studies have explored the lived experiences and challenges of international students coming to the United States. However, research was needed to investigate international students’ lived experiences in a predominantly White institution. A qualitative narrative inquiry used field notes and in-depth individual semi-structured interviews with 12 international students at a Southwestern Florida university. The following four themes emerged from the content analysis; multiracial identities, otherness, self-representation, and perceptions of the dominant society. The findings support the need for the development of services that value diversity and better serve international students in higher education institutions.

Authors

• Clarisse Halpern, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Hasan Aydin, Florida Gulf Coast University