A Discourse Analysis of the Representation of International Students by American Universities

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: International Contexts and Students in Higher Education (Table 7)

Abstract

How international students are viewed and represented in discourse simultaneously reflect and shape their experiences and senses of belonging. While international students’ experiences, belonging, and success have been studied widely, there are few studies on the representation of international students in the US. Specifically, within the context of diversity discourses, universities tend to use limited conceptualizations of race and ethnicity, disregarding other identity categories that may define international students (and some domestic students). Considering that international students are key sources for universities’ revenues, research operations, and social and cultural vibrancy, we analyzed flagship state universities’ diversity discourses vis-à-vis how they represent international students. Preliminary findings suggest erasure, monolithization, and deficit views of international students, aligning with existing literature.

Authors

• Leticia Pires Andrus, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

• Sebnem Cilesiz, University of Louisiana at Lafayette