Turkish Refugee College Students' Perceptions of How Trauma Impacted Their Personal and Educational Experiences

• In Event: Identity and Experience: Relationships Between Schools, Students, and the State

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study sought to gain insight into Turkish refugee college students’ perceptions on how trauma impacted their personal and academic experiences. The findings of this study exposed the injustices, human rights violations, and persecutions imposed on them by the Erdogan regime after the July, 15, 2016 coup attempt. Their traumatic experiences were amplified by the constancy of living in fear and uncertainty. These events forced them to flee to the U.S. where they faced new challenges and struggles of an unfamiliar culture, educational institution, and language. The findings of this study identified the unique academic and personal needs of Turkish refugee students and the strategies they used to become resilient and proliferate their academic success.

Authors

• Kristina Andrews, Lindsey Wilson College
  Presenting Author

• Hasan Aydin, Florida Gulf Coast University
  Presenting Author