W&M ScholarWorks Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects 2017 Opportunities in the Lived Experiences of Successful High-Ability International Doctoral Students at a Selective U.S. Higher Education Institution Nataliya Dudnytska College of William and Mary, OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SUCCESSFUL HIGH- ABILITY INTERNATIONAL DOCTORAL STUDENTS AT A SELECTIVE U.S. HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION ____________________________________ Dissertation Presented to The Faculty of the School of Education The College of William & Mary in Virginia ____________________________________ In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education ____________________________________ by Nataliya Dudnytska July, 2017 OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SUCCESSFUL HIGH- ABILITY INTERNATIONAL DOCTORAL STUDENTS AT A SELECTIVE U.S. HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION by Nataliya Dudnytska ____________________________________ Approved July 2017 by ____________________________________ Tracy L. Cross, Ph.D. Chairperson of Doctoral Committee ____________________________________ Jennifer R. Cross, Ph.D. ____________________________________ Colm O’Reilly, Ph.D. ____________________________________ Jennifer Robins, Ph.D. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ix Abstract x Chapter 1 – Introduction 2 Background of the Study 2 Study Focus 8 Research Questions 10 Significance of the Study 12 Definition of Terms 13 Limitations and Delimitations 16 Assumptions 16 Chapter 2 – Review of Literature 18 Globalization and Internationalization of Education 19 Knowledge Economy 20 Brain Circulation: Definition and Roadblocks 21 Successful Brain Circulation 23 Mobility Overview 26 Types of Mobility 28 Mobility as Operationalized in This Study 30 Internationalization of U.S. Higher Education Institutions 31 International Student Population in the U.S. 32 International Doctoral Student Population in the U.S. 33 Factors Attracting International Students to the U.S. 35 iii Influences of Internationalization 38 Theoretical Framework: Giftedness and Talent -Development Models 40 Giftedness and High-Ability Young Adults 41 Overview of Talent-Development Models 44 Tannenbaum’s Talent-Development Model 44 Piirto’s Pyramid Model 45 Bloom’s Model 45 Subotnik and Jarvin’s Scholarly Productivity Model 45 Talent Development Mega-Model 46 Mega-Model of Talent Development as Framework for the Study 46 Academic Talent Development Trajectory 48 Academic Talent Development Trajectory of Gifted Adults 48 The Construct of Opportunity 51 Usefulness of Results 57 Conclusions 58 Chapter 3 – Methods 61 Research Questions 61 Research Framework and Approach for the Study 62 Philosophical Assumptions for the Study 63 Social Constructivism Worldview 64 Research Approach 66 Strategy of Inquiry: IPA 67 Influences of Phenomenology, Hermeneutics, & Idiography on IPA 68 iv Sample and Participant Selection 71 Data Sources and Collection 75 Data Analysis Plan 77 Maximization of Quality and Rigor 79 Limitations 81 Delimitations 82 Assumptions 83 Concluding Notes on Study Design 83 Chapter 4 – Findings 84 Delimitations of the Study 90 Demographic Profile of the Participants 90 Trajectories of Academic Talent Development 95 Early Interest Development 96 Finding Niche Interest 98 Taking Time Off 100 Findings for Phase 1 101 Theme One: Education As Family Value 102 Investing In Education 103 Father’s Influence 105 Gender 106 Mismatched Career Paths 107 Enhancing Factors for International Education 109 Theme Two: Fulfilling Academic Environment 111 v Research 112 Experts in the Field 113 Unique Resources 115 Academic Culture 115 Theme Three: Three Pillars of Mobility: English Language, Technology, and Funding 118 English Language 118 Technology 121 Funding 124 Theme Four: Non -Zero-Sum Game: Brain Circulation and Knowledge Sharing 126 International Experiences of Peers and Alumni 127 International Experiences of Domesti c Faculty 128 International Experiences of U.S. Professors and Scholars 128 Prior International Experiences of the Participants 129 Support for Brain Circulation from Home Governments and Higher Education Institutions 130 Challenges of International Education 132 Distance 133 Isolation 134 Racism and Xenophobia 134 Psychosocial Characteristics 136 vi Inquisitiveness 136 Openness to New Experiences 137 Hard Work 137 Persistence 138 Optimism and Faith 139 Findings for Phase 2 140 Role of Self in Academic Talent Development 140 Interest and Sense of Agency 141 Resilient Self-Efficacy 143 Perception of Opportunities 144 Discarded Opportunities 146 Unoffered Opportunities 149 Preparedness and Support from Environment 150 Summary 151 Chapter 5 – Discussion 155 Enhancing Academic Talent Development Experiences 156 High-ability International Doctoral Students 157 International Academic Mobility 162 Perceptions of Opportunity 170 Implications of the Study 173 Implications for Research 174 Implications for Higher Education Institutions’ Internationalization 175 Implications for Policy Makers 176 vii Implications for International Students 177 Conclusion 178 Appendix A List of Developing Countries 182 Appendix B Researcher as an Instrument Essay 184 Appendix C Interview Protocols 192 Appendix D Demographic Survey 204 Appendix E Examples of Data Analysis 208 Appendix F Participant Demographics 214 Appendix G Trajectories of Academic Talent Development 215 Appendix H Themes and Essential Structures Frequency 220 Appendix I Informed Consent Forms 221 References 224 Vita 238 viii LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Sampling Specifications Matrix by Program and Region of Origin 74 Table 2. Participant Specifications Matrix by Program and Place of Origin 91 ix