Publication Date

2020

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Nyunt, Gudrun

Degree Name

Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Counseling and Higher Education (CAHE)

Abstract

This dissertation examined the acculturation experience of community college international students in the hopes of providing practitioners with a guide on best support practices. Considering the important contributions international students at community colleges make to the economy and the diverse environment at community colleges, it is essential that community college campuses provide effective academic, social, and cultural support in order to retain international students and to remain relevant in the international recruitment field. This study addresses the gap in the current literature on community college international students and provides institutional leadership with a foundation of knowledge and strategies to improve international student access, retention and success. Interviews with 12 international students at a community college in Illinois led to the following five themes: the need for improving international student experiences with transition and onboarding, the influences of language barriers and establishment of the proper mindset, the role academic experiences play in acculturation, the need to enhance opportunities for socialization and interpersonal relationships, and the impact of institutional culture on the acculturation experience emerged from the analysis.

Extent

158 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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