The University of San Francisco USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center Master's Theses Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects Winter 12-14-2018 An Exploratory Study of Acculturation Experiences of Graduate Student Immigrants at the University of San Francisco CFoourllowtne thiy Ls amnda radditional works at: https://repository.usfca.edu/thes cclamPar@donrt of thes.usfcaAme.edurican Studies Commons, Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Cultural History Commons, East Asian Languages and Societies Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Higher Education Commons, Indigenous Education Commons, Indigenous Studies Commons, International and Comparative Education Commons, International and Intercultural Communication Commons, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons, Language Interpretation and Translation Commons, Latin American Languages and Societies Commons, Latina/o Studies Commons, Literature in English, North America, Ethnic and Cultural Minority Commons, Migration Studies Commons, Modern Languages Commons, Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons, Organizational Communication Commons, Other Arts and Humanities Commons, Other International and Area Studies Commons, Other Languages, Societies, and Cultures Commons, Pacific slI ands Languages and Societies Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons, Sociology of Culture Commons, and the South and Southeast Asian Languages and Societies Commons Recommended Citation Lamar, Courtney, "An Exploratory Study of Acculturation Experiences of Graduate Student Immigrants at the University of San Francisco" (2018). Master's Theses. 1163. https://repository.usfca.edu/thes/1163 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects at USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. For more information, please contact [email protected]. AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF ACCULTURATION EXPERIENCES OF GRADUATE STUDENT IMMIGRANTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS in INTERNATIONAL STUDIES by COURTNEY LAMAR November 20, 2018 UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO Under the guidance and approval of the committee, and approval by all the members, this thesis project has been accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree. APPROVED: ____________________________ ________________________ Capstone Adviser Date ____________________________ ________________________ MAIS Director Date ACCULTURATION EXPERIENCES OF GRADUATE STUDENT IMMIGRANTS AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF ACCULTURATION EXPERIENCES OF GRADUATE STUDENT IMMIGRANTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO Courtney C. Lamar University of San Francisco November 2018 Masters of Arts in International studies 2 ACCULTURATION EXPERIENCES OF GRADUATE STUDENT IMMIGRANTS Abstract This study explores the shared challenges during the acculturation process of graduate student immigrants pursuing higher education in the United States. 13 graduate student immigrants at the University of San Francisco discuss their experiences of cultural adjustment into U.S. culture. Through qualitative interviews and thematic analysis, this study seeks to understand the acculturation experiences of graduate student immigrants in the San Francisco Bay Area of the United States. This analysis is based on the individual-level experience examining attitudes and acculturation strategies in the dominant society. Analysis, possibly policy implication for institutions of higher education, and possible directions for future research are discussed. Keywords: acculturation, assimilation, integration, marginalisation, multiculturalism, pluralism, qualitative research, separation 3 ACCULTURATION EXPERIENCES OF GRADUATE STUDENT IMMIGRANTS Acknowledgements Thank you to all 13 participants willing to share their stories in this study. It is my hope that your experiences will be significant in creating and executing strategies for future graduate student immigrants at the University of San Francisco and beyond! To my amazing advisor, Professor Kevin Lo, thank you for working tirelessly with me to narrow down the abundance of ideas I had. Together, we were able to take my interest in intercultural communications and make something informative, insightful, and contribute to the vast field of acculturation literature. To my dad, the moral support you have shown is immeasurable; thank you for being an outlet when needed. To my mom, the rock of my life, thank you for always supporting me in all of my adventures. You have always taught me that no dream is too small and to listen to my heart. I could not have done any of this without you. I am truly grateful to have a strong- minded and beautiful soul as my mother and my friend. I love you! To my very best friend, Elise, thank you for being my person. I could not imagine navigating life without my co-adventurer and the 2 to my 2.5. From South Africa to the U.S. to Spain and then Morocco, I am so happy I found someone to roam the world with. A special shoutout to my fitfam at RiDE Oakland for being a constant outlet when things were not easy. I am forever grateful to the amazing community that taught me the importance of how a healthy mind, body, and soul constitutes a happy and healthy life! I am also grateful to the following USF faculty, staff, administration, and organizations: The Graduate Student Senate, Christie Meno, and Professor Lucia Cantero for your hard work and making my experience at the University of San Francisco beyond wonderful! And finally, last but by no means least, all of the wonderful individuals I have met in the Masters of Arts in International Studies program. I am so proud of us! Thanks for all your encouragement! 4 ACCULTURATION EXPERIENCES OF GRADUATE STUDENT IMMIGRANTS Table of Contents Chapter One: Introduction……………………………………………………………...…7 Chapter Two: Review of Literature…………………………...…………………………12 First Theories of Intercultural Contact………...……………………...………….12 Early Acculturation Framework…………………...…………………………….14 The Work of John Berry………………………………………...……………….15 Acculturation Strategies………………………………………………………….17 Acculturation Strategies of Non-Dominant Groups………..……………………18 Acculturation Strategies of the Dominant Society………………….……………19 Socioanalytic Approach and Role Theory Approach……………………………19 Social Cognitive Approach to Acculturation…………………………………….21 Chapter Three: Methods……………………………………………...………………….23 Qualitative Interviews…………………………………………………………....23 Interview Schedule……………………………………………………………….24 Location………………………………………………………………………….24 Participant Information…………………………………….…………………….24 Recruitment and Screening Process……………………..……………………….29 Process and Procedure…………………………………………………………...29 Thematic Analysis……………………………………………………………….30 Chapter Four: Data Analysis……………………………………………………………..33 Influences to Study Abroad in the U.S.………………………………………….33 Opportunities…………………………………………………………….34 Cross-Cultural Opportunities…………………………………………….34 International Recognition of U.S. Institutions…………...………………35 Acculturative Stress Indicators……………………….………………………….36 Language……………………………..………………………………….36 Cultural and Social Behaviors………………..………………………….37 Community……………………………………………………...……….38 Financial Hardship……………………………………………………….38 Racism and Discrimination………………………………………...…….39 Navigating Cultural Identities………………………………………………...….40 Connectedness to Home Culture………………………………….…..….40 Connectedness to Host Culture……………………………………….….41 Connectedness to Both Cultures…………………………………..….….41 Connectedness to Neither Culture……………………………………….41 Model of Acculturation Strategies……………………………………………….43 Assimilation…………………………………………………………..….43 Integration………………………………………………………….…….44 Marginalisation……………………………………………………….….44 Separation………………………………………………………………..45 Chapter Five: Discussion…………………………………………………………..…….47 Influences to Study Abroad…………………………………………………..….48 Opportunities…………………………………………………………….48 Cross-Cultural Opportunities………………………………………….…49 International Recognition of U.S. Institutions………………………...…49 5 ACCULTURATION EXPERIENCES OF GRADUATE STUDENT IMMIGRANTS Acculturative Stress Indicators……………………………………………….….50 Language…………………………………………………………..….….50 Cultural and Social Behaviors…………………………………….….….51 Community…………………………………………………………...….52 Financial Hardship……………………………………………………….53 Racism and Discrimination………………………………………………53 Navigating Cultural Identities……………………………………………...…….54 Acculturation Strategies………………………………………………………….55 Recommendations……………………………………………………….……….56 Community and Social Support Systems…………………………...……56 Language Services……………………………………………………….57 Reverse Cultural Shock Support…………………………………………57 Limitations of the Study………………………………………………………….58 Future Research………………………………………………………………….59 Social Justice and Acculturation…………………………………………59 Technology and Acculturation in the Modern Era……………………….60 University and Organizational Research…………………………………60 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….60 Appendices…………………………………………………………………………...62-66