Gain/Loss Experiences of International Students
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Authors
Cooney, Sophia
Buckingham, Grace
Paulin, Joseph
Issue Date
2025-04-03
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Abstract
Description
International college students have unique experiences when adjusting to college. They
must adjust to a new country, a new culture, and a new academic system. This can bring on
significant amounts of stress as they attempt to adjust to a new life. Russell and colleagues
(2010) found that 41% of their sample of 900 international students experienced substantial
levels of stress including stress connected to homesickness, cultural shock, and discrimination.
Unfortunately, international students are also less likely to use the different services
available to them. Yi and colleagues (2003) found that many international students prefer to ask
for help from family and friends when they are having trouble adjusting. This can be problematic
as much of the time family members aren’t living in the same country as them and they may not
have many friends who they feel that they can lean on. In fact, the number of international
students using counseling services has been quite minimal with Boyer and Sedlacek (1989)
finding that only 13% of their sample of international students used counseling services available
to them. However, less is known about the gain/loss experiences of international students.
Our research project will focus on the gain/loss experiences of international students to
further understand the subjective experiences of gains and losses of international undergraduate
students. We will be using a qualitive design using thematic analysis to interview a sample of
international undergraduate students at Alma College. We expect to find that students
simultaneously report important gains and losses during their transition to college in a new
country.