University Belonging of International (STEM) Students: An Intersectional Perspective

• In Event: Assessing STEM Student Success in Higher Education: Insights From Multidisciplinary Research

Abstract

Former studies showed differences in the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and university belonging between subject groups such as a “chilly climate” for female STEM students that manifested in lower levels of university belonging. But less is known about the prerequisites of university belonging amongst international students in STEM versus non-STEM subjects. Our stepwise multi-group regression analyses with data of 1,590 international bachelor students did not reveal substantial differences between the subject groups. Against expectations, there were no gender main effects but the relationship between gender and university belonging differed by cultural backgrounds. First-generation students showed lower levels of university belonging whereas a higher host-culture orientation was advantageous. Theoretical inferences and practical implications are discussed.

Authors

• Judith Sarah Preuss, FernUniversität in Hagen

• Julia Zimmermann, FernUniversität in Hagen

• Kathrin Jonkmann, Fernuniversität in Hagen