Adjustment Factors, Acculturative Stress, and Language barriers of International Students in America: A Visual Report
Location
1049
Format Type
Event
Format Type
Paper
Start Date
January 2019
End Date
January 2019
Abstract
Photovoice is a technique utilized to enable participants to initially photograph and later on explain the social context of underprivileged groups. The major goals of a photovoice are two folds: first, photovoice enables us to keep the track of a special community to investigate its strengths and concerns. Second, through photovoice a critical dialogue is promoted about major issues of that society. Photovoice is a participatory research method that allows members of a community to share their experiences. This way, it may culminate in a collaboration for change. Research indicates that students pursue International studies for multiple reasons: acquiring new ways of learning, exploring a new culture, and improving cross-cultural understanding (Andrade 2006; McClure 2007). In the present photovoice, the research participants showcase their difficulties to illuminate barriers and illustrate their tortuous path to success while learning English. A class project with INTO USF students coupled with informal chats and formal presentations led to findings that left me flabbergasted. This presentation highlights thorny issues that international students undergo while studying in America. An independent life experience might lead to developing a new outlook, increasing confidence, and finally being mature.
Keywords
Acculturative Stress, International Students, Photovoice
Adjustment Factors, Acculturative Stress, and Language barriers of International Students in America: A Visual Report
1049
Photovoice is a technique utilized to enable participants to initially photograph and later on explain the social context of underprivileged groups. The major goals of a photovoice are two folds: first, photovoice enables us to keep the track of a special community to investigate its strengths and concerns. Second, through photovoice a critical dialogue is promoted about major issues of that society. Photovoice is a participatory research method that allows members of a community to share their experiences. This way, it may culminate in a collaboration for change. Research indicates that students pursue International studies for multiple reasons: acquiring new ways of learning, exploring a new culture, and improving cross-cultural understanding (Andrade 2006; McClure 2007). In the present photovoice, the research participants showcase their difficulties to illuminate barriers and illustrate their tortuous path to success while learning English. A class project with INTO USF students coupled with informal chats and formal presentations led to findings that left me flabbergasted. This presentation highlights thorny issues that international students undergo while studying in America. An independent life experience might lead to developing a new outlook, increasing confidence, and finally being mature.
Comments
Breakout Session I