An Investigation of the Importance of Ethnic Food to International College Students in the United States by Khalid Mahmoud Eyoun A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Auburn, Alabama August 3, 2013 Keywords: Internationalization of Education, Importance of International Students, Recruitment, Acculturation, Ethnic Food Copyright 2013 by Khalid Mahmoud Eyoun Approved by David Martin, Chair, Assistant Professor of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Hospitality Management Martin O’Neill, Professor & Department Head Department of Nutrition, Dietetics & Hospitality James Witte, Professor of Educational Foundations, Leadership & Technology i Abstract This study is aimed at investigating the importance of ethnic food to international college students in the U.S. Specifically, this research seeks to investigate the effect of the inclusion of ethnic food into on-campus dining options and the future behavioral intentions and self-reported personal health of international students. Additionally, this research identifies the reasons underlying the importance attached to ethnic food, examines the current perceptions about the availability and quality of ethnic food restaurants and retailers, and identifies the ethnic food dining habits of international students. Due to the lack of previous research in this area, both qualitative and quantitative approaches are necessary in this study to establish a foundation that can be used in future research within this area. This study employs t-test and descriptive statistics to answer the research questions. Overall, this research has discovered that ethnic food is important to international students and that the inclusion of ethnic food into on-campus dining options is a competitive advantage for universities who provide this service over those who do not. The study has also found that university administrators should pay more attention to ethnic food into on-campus dining services. Ethnic food operators also need to focus on certain ethnic food items that international students consider when they dine out. ii Acknowledgment This research would not have been possible without the support of many individuals. First, I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. David Martin, who was extremely accommodating in offering his invaluable assistance, support, and guidance. I have certainly enjoyed working with him over the past two years and I am so grateful for his help, time, and consideration. My deepest gratitude is also offered to the members of the supervisory committee, Dr. Martin O’Neill and Dr. James Witte. Thank you all so very much for sharing your knowledge and experience with me. I would also like to convey my appreciation to Dr. Andrew Gillespie for his help in distributing the survey. I want to express my love and gratitude to my beloved parents for their understanding and endless love throughout the duration of my studies. A special thanks to my wife, Ehsan Hammadeen, for her endless patience and encouragement when I needed it most. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my brother Baker, who is the reason I am here. Remembrance and love is passed to the soul of my sister, Amnah, who passed away three months before I came to the U.S. Finally, many thanks to my friend Muhtadi Qudah in my home country, to Embry Burrus for her support over the past two years, Kyle Townsend, and Jason Gogue. iii Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... iv Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1 Background ..................................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem and Research Objectives ....................................................... 5 Research Questions ........................................................................................................... 7 Significance of the Study ................................................................................................ 7 Definitions ....................................................................................................................... 8 Limitations ........................................................................................................................ 8 Organization of the Study ........................................................................................................ 9 Chapter 2. Literature Review .................................................................................................... 10 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 10 Internationalization of Education .................................................................................. 10 Importance of International Students to Educational Institutions ................................. 14 Recruitment of International Students .......................................................................... 18 Difficulties Encountered by International Students ..................................................... 26 Acculturation, Culture Shock, and Food Consumption ................................................ 28 Services Provided by Universities to Support International Students .......................... 36 Ethnic Food ................................................................................................................... 39 iv Chapter 3. Methods .................................................................................................................... 42 Research Considerations ............................................................................................... 42 Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 43 Methodological Overview ............................................................................................. 45 Qualitative and Quantitative Research ......................................................................... 45 Cross-Sectional Studies ................................................................................................ 47 Research Setting ............................................................................................................. 47 Focus Group Work ......................................................................................................... 48 The Research Sample ..................................................................................................... 49 Adequacy of Sample Size ............................................................................................. 50 The Research Instrument ............................................................................................... 50 Survey Administration ................................................................................................... 51 Measurement of Variables ............................................................................................ 52 Pilot Testing .................................................................................................................. 52 Statistical Analysis ......................................................................................................... 53 Ethical Considerations ................................................................................................... 53 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 54 Chapter 4. Results ...................................................................................................................... 55 Characteristics of the Sample ......................................................................................... 55 Reliability ........................................................................................................................ 58 Addressing the Research Questions ............................................................................... 59 v Summary ........................................................................................................................ 70 Chapter 5. Discussion and Implications ..................................................................................... 71 Purpose and Significance of Research ......................................................................... 71 Discussion of Results ...................................................................................................... 72 Implications..................................................................................................................... 77 Future Research ............................................................................................................ 80 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 81 References ................................................................................................................................