International Students' Experiences in the Current US Political Environment

• In Event: Roundtable Session 8
  In Refereed Roundtable Session: Experiences and Perceptions of International Students

Proposal

Study Purpose: The Trump administration's second term has brought drastic changes to the US. International students are at the forefront of these changes, facing visa cancellations, deportations, arrests, and limited international travel. This mixed-methods study examines the experiences of international students during a period of significant political and social upheaval and how these experiences influence their mobility choices. The study is guided by three research questions: (a) How did international students perceive the United States and its political climate before and after Trump’s second return to the presidency? (b) How has the current U.S. political climate shaped international students’ academic experiences, psychosocial well-being, and graduation plans? (c) What mechanisms are international students using to cope with and respond to the challenges posed by the current political climate, and what kind of support are they receiving?
Theoretical Framework: This study is grounded in higher education ecological frameworks of campus ecology (Banning & Bryner, 2001) and ecological system theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1997). The former focuses on the relationships between students and the campus environment, while the latter recognizes higher education as a system that exists within a broader ecosystem. These frameworks guide the study in understanding the relationship between international students, U.S. universities, and U.S. society. Furthermore, it provides the tools to explore how the shift in the political environment shapes the relationships of international students, U.S. universities, and society.
Methodology: This mixed-method study involves full-time international students who are currently enrolled or recently graduated from U.S. higher education institutions. Participants were recruited directly through social media and via the researchers' contacts in higher education institutions and professional organizations. Data was collected through a Likert scale survey and follow-up semi-structured interviews. The data analysis will adopt deductive and inductive approaches. Initially, the emerging codes will be grouped and developed into themes. All emerging themes will be analyzed in-depth and triangulated with quantitative data to facilitate comprehensive analysis.
Findings: The findings will showcase how the drastic changes in the political environment have overwhelmed international students. Initial views that portray the US as a welcoming country to international students are shifting towards framing the US as a hostile place. These views are reinforced by visa revocations, SEVIS record terminations, arrests, deportations, issuance of student visas valid for only three months, and a bill to end optional practical training. Events of this nature are shaping the experiences of international students, affecting their academic experiences, social integration, and overall well-being. Owing to their agency, they are addressing the uncertainty by avoiding international travel, steering clear of controversial topics, and seeking jobs and visas outside the US.
Significance and Contributions: The study will contribute to our understanding of the experiences of international students in the current U.S. political environment and how it is shaping their perceptions of the U.S. It also underscores the need to bring the voices of international students to the limelight for programs to support their well-being.

Authors

• Minghui Hou

• Lamarana Jallow, Southern Illinois University Carbondale