International Female Graduate Students' Experience at a Midwestern University: Sense of Belonging and Identity Development

Authors

Anh T. Le, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Barbara LaCost, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Michael Wismer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

Journal of International Students

Comments

ISSN: 2162-3104 Print/ ISSN: 2166-3750 Online Volume 6, Issue 1 (2016), pp. 128-152

Abstract

International female graduate students have to negotiate multiple aspects of their identities as non-native learners and women in a society with different gender norms than their home countries. However, their experiences have not been well researched within the scholarship on international students. In this study, using the phenomenological approach, we explored the phenomenon of being an international female graduate student in the U.S. The seven participants are diverse in terms of countries of origin, academic programs, and life situations. Using open-ended questions, we conducted indepth one-on-one interviews with the participants. The findings indicate that the participants perceived being international female graduate students at this university as a positive, life-changing, and transformative experience.