PPoorrttllaanndd SSttaattee UUnniivveerrssiittyy PPDDXXSScchhoollaarr Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses 7-1-2006 TThhee CChhaalllleennggeess IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall SSttuuddeennttss FFaaccee iinn AAddjjuussttiinngg ttoo TThheeiirr NNeeww SSttaattuuss aass GGrraadduuaattee SSttuuddeennttss:: AAnn EExxpplloorraattoorryy CCaassee SSttuuddyy Vincent Womujuni Portland State University Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds Part of the Curriculum and Instruction Commons, and the Educational Leadership Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits you. RReeccoommmmeennddeedd CCiittaattiioonn Womujuni, Vincent, "The Challenges International Students Face in Adjusting to Their New Status as Graduate Students: An Exploratory Case Study" (2006). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 3972. https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.5870 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. THE CHALLENGES INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FACE IN ADJUSTING TO THEIR NEW STATUS AS GRADUATE STUDENTS: AN EXPLORATORY CASE STUDY by VINCENT WOMUJUNI A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION in EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP: ADMINISTRATION Portland State University 2007 DISSERTATION APPROVAL The abstract and dissertation of Vincent Womujuni for the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership: Administration were presented July 18, 2006, and accepted by the dissertation committee and the doctoral program. COMMITTEE APPROVALS William D. Greenfield, Jrff Chai David Reuter jsentative of the Office of Graduate Studies DOCTORAL PROGRAM APPROVAL: Carol L. Mack, Interim Dean Graduate School of Education ABSTRACT An abstract of the dissertation of Vincent Womujuni for the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership: Administration presented July 18, 2006. Title: The Challenges International Students Face in Adjusting to their New Status as Graduate Students: An Exploratory Case Study Over the last several years, the number of international students attending colleges and universities in the United States has increased substantially. While considerable time, effort, and university resources are often devoted to the recruitment of international students, it is unclear how well institutions are meeting the needs of these students. This growing number of international students requires foreign exchange professionals and university administrators to better understand the reasons why international students pursue higher education in the United States and the challenges they face. This exploratory case study is to examine the challenges international graduate students encounter in adjusting to their new status as graduate students. Six research questions framed this study: What difficulties do international students face in their first year in graduate school? What adjustments do they need to make in their first year in graduate school? What challenges do continuing international graduate students face? In what ways are perspectives of continuing international graduate students similar to perspectives of beginning international graduate students? What university support resources do international graduate students say are helpful? What PSU support resources are needed, but missing? The relevant literature addresses academic, social, psychological, cultural, financial, and housing adjustment challenges. The data for this research were collected by interviewing and surveying international graduate students at PSU. Data were analyzed using standard methods of qualitative data analysis. Consistent with the results from other research, this study reveals the following adjustment challenges: unsatisfactory accommodation; inadequate financial resources; lack of culturally specific programs that are intentional, flexible and accessible; unfamiliarity with the new educational system; limited English proficiency; undeveloped infrastructure for on-going orientation; insufficient health services information; and unavailability of international student mentoring programs. The findings of this study have the potential to inform both researchers and practitioners as institutions attempt to create sufficient international student support services. 1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Special thanks go to my major professor and chair of my doctoral committee, Dr. William Greenfield, for his guidance and constant support in this project. I also wish to thank the other committee members: Dr. Maggie McVay Lynch, Dr. Samuel Henry, and Dr. David Bullock, and Dr. John Reuter. The faculty members, international education professionals, and PSU administrators involved in the education of international students deserve my thanks. Without their active participation this work would not have been possible. Thanks also to my School of Education doctoral cohort. They were supportive throughout. What a great group of professionals! To my deceased parents Ephraim and Florence Nyarwa, I will always be grateful to them for their encouragement and support. Thank you everyone! ii TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................................................ i LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................. v LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................... vi CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION........................................... 1 Rationale............................................................................. 3 Purpose................................................................................ 4 Definition of Terms............................................................ 4 Research Questions........................................................... 5 Summary........................................................................... 6 II. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE........................... 7 Academic and Social Adjustment Challenges................. 7 Psychological and Cultural Adjustment Challenges 10 Financial Adjustment Challenges.................................... 11 Housing Adjustment Challenges..................................... 15 Summary............................................................................ 16 III...............................METHODOLOGY........................................... 17 Overview, Goals, and Questions of the Study.................. 17 Selection of Subjects for Interview......................... 18 Considerations Leading to the Design of the Study 18 iii Interview Procedure................................................. 19 Interviewing technique.............................................. 21 Data Collection Procedures................................................. 22 Data Analysis Procedures................................................... 24 Role of the Researcher........................................................ 29 Limitations........................................................................... 31 IV. FINDINGS.................................................................................. 33 Results of Interviews.......................................................... 33 Research Question 1................................................. 34 Individual Interview Item Responses and Analysis. 35 Research Question 2................................................. 42 Research Question 3................................................... 45 Research Question 4................................................... 48 Research Question 5................................................. 66 Research Question 6.................................................. 68 Results of Survey................................................................ 72 Major Themes..................................................................... 78 Gap Between Students’ Expectations and Reality. 79 Issues and Concerns................................................. 81 Misattribution........................................................... 85 Academic Challenges............................................... 86 Social/cultural Challenges...................................... 87 iv Health/Psychological Challenges............................. 89 Financial Challenges................................................. 90 Housing Challenges.................................................. 90 V. PERSONAL REFLECTION.................................................... 92 VI. STUDY IMPLICATIONS AND DISCUSSION.................... 101 Introduction.............................................................. 101 Implications for Professors........................................ 101 Implications for Internationalization Action Council and Diversity Action Council..................... 103 Implication for International Affairs Counselors... 103 Implications for University Administration............. 103 Conclusion................................................................................... 105 REFERENCES.............................................................................................. 107 APPENDICES A. Survey Questionnaire............................................................... 112 B. In-depth Interview Guide......................................................... 114 C. Informed Consent Form........................................................... 115 D. Focus Group Interview Protocol............................................ 116 E. Pilot Interview Questions......................................................... 117 V LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE 1. Study Timeline.............................................................................. 23 2. Data Triangulation....................................................................... 27 3. In-depth Interview Participants................................................... 35 4. Focus Group A: Beginning International Graduate Students... 50 5. Focus Group B: Continuing International Graduate Students... 50 6. International Students’Adaptation Process................................ 52 7. Students’ Expectations.................................................................. 54 8. Students’ Graduate School Journey............................................. 56 9. Students’ Adjustment Experiences.............................................. 57 10. Students’Adjustment Challenges................................................ 59 11. Impact of Information on Students’ Adjustment........................ 61 12. Students’ Advice to the PSU Administration............................. 63 13. Student Advice to Beginning International Graduate Students. 66