What Does Real College Success Mean? The Conceptualization of Well-Being for Community College International Students

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: Division J - Section 2b: College Student Experiences Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

This qualitative study offers critical insights into students’ sense-making of their own well-being while navigating college life for an overlooked population—community college international students. Individual interviews and focus groups were employed to reflect students’ lived experiences, highlighting students’ agency and strength. Preliminary findings reveal five dimensions that nuancedly construct community college international students’ well-being and identify the nature of well-being as holistic, multi-faceted, fluid, and culturally relevant. The findings of this study hold critical implications for equitably supporting international students and building theoretical efforts to conceptualize the well-being of the international student population.

Author

• Peiwen Zheng, Wisconsin Center for Education Research