Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 7-17-2014 12:00 AM Investigating the Experiences of Queer International Students Elizabeth S. Patrick The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Wayne Martino The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Education A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Master of Education © Elizabeth S. Patrick 2014 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the International and Comparative Education Commons Recommended Citation Patrick, Elizabeth S., "Investigating the Experiences of Queer International Students" (2014). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 2155. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/2155 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INVESTIGATING THE EXPERIENCES OF QUEER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Thesis format: Monograph) by Elizabeth Patrick Graduate Program in Education A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada © Elizabeth Patrick 2014 Abstract There is a great deal of academic literature reporting homophobic discrimination against queer students in higher education. However, queer international students, who have potentially experienced different cultural constructions and understandings of sexualities based upon their cross cultural international studies, have received little to no attention in academic literature. This is significant considering the increasing number of international students studying in Canadian universities. In light of this, this research examines the self-described experiences of seven queer international students attending one Canadian university in order to investigate their experiences as queer identifying subjects. Drawing on their voices, it also attempts to examine the level of queer acceptance or homophobic discrimination in their Canadian university. The seven students all reported impressions of Canada and their Canadian university as being more accepting of sexual minorities than their home countries. As the study explains, these perceptions ultimately incited a degree of reflexivity in how the participants' came to understand and make sense of their queer identities. These included changes in self-labeling of their sexual identities, self-understanding and perception of their sexuality, expressions and embodiments of their sexuality, being open with their sexuality in different cultural contexts, and finally a more optimistic reframing of their potential futures as queer individuals. These findings draw upon queer, feminist, and gender theory that offer an understanding of the social construction of gender and sexual identities, seeing identities as relational processes that can change in different cultural spaces. In light of these findings, further research into institutional systemic support offered by universities for queer international students is proposed. Keywords: international queer students, study abroad, identity changes, internationalization, cross cultural ii Acknowledgements I would like to dedicate this thesis to my mother, Brenda Jansen. She is still the hardest worker I have ever known. Her hard work raising me has led the groundwork for all of my achievements and for the life I have been able to lead. I am continuously in awe of her fortitude, and I will forever be grateful. The warmest thank you for all of my friends and family who have supported me and kept me alive and sane throughout this process, particularly Bonnie Morrison and Jennifer Vickers. I couldn’t have done it without you. A big thank you to Goli Rezai-Rashti for her work as my committee member and her kind words of encouragement. Lastly, I would like to thank my supervisor, Wayne Martino, for his endless positivity and support. Never have I learned so much and been so excited and happy to do so. Thank you for being an incredible mentor, educator, and guide. iii Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgemen ts..........................................................................................…........................ iii Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables .................................................................................................................................vi List of Appendices ...................................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER 1 – Introduction and Theoretical Framework ........................................................1 1.1 Aims & Purpose......................................................................................................................1 1.2 The Research Questions .........................................................................................................4 1.3 Investment and Positioning.....................................................................................................5 1.4 Theoretical Framework...........................................................................................................7 1.4.1 Conceptualizations and Constructions of Gender.......................................................7 1.4.2 Conceptualizations and Constructions of Sexuality.................................................13 1.4.3 Gender and Sexuality According to Culture.............................................................17 1.4.4 Heteronormativity.....................................................................................................19 1.4.5 Identity - Gender and Sexuality Roles......................................................................20 1.4.6 The Nature of Oppression.........................................................................................23 1.5 Thesis Overview..................................................................................................................25 1.6 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................26 CHAPTER 2 – Literature Review .............................................................................................28 2.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................28 2.2 Gender in Study Abroad......................................................................................................28 2.3 Homophobic Discrimination in Education...........................................................................30 2.4 Queerness in Context of the 'Home' Country.......................................................................35 2.5 Social Supports.....................................................................................................................37 2.6 International Queer Student Support...................................................................................38 2.7 Conclusion............................................................................................................................39 CHAPTER 3 – Methodology......................................................................................................41 3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................41 3.2 Interviews.............................................................................................................................42 3.3 Recruitment..........................................................................................................................44 3.4 Data Analysis........................................................................................................................46 3.5 Limitations............................................................................................................................50 3.6 Conclusions...........................................................................................................................52 CHAPTER 4 – Participant Profiles ..........................................................................................54 4.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................54 4.2 Central University.................................................................................................................54 4.3 Ian.........................................................................................................................................56 4.4 Mia........................................................................................................................................59 4.5 Zachary.................................................................................................................................61 4.6 Diya......................................................................................................................................65