Dissertation

Contributors to the successful transfer of international community college students

Community colleges are opening their doors to international students, who, like their domestic counterparts, see the community college as a steppingstone to four-year institutions. This study explored the challenges and the contributors to the successful transfer of international community college students to four-year institutions. This study took place at two medium-size California community colleges. I used a qualitative research methodology to illuminate the connections between internationalization policies, transfer preparedness, and equity issues facing international students. To provide a balanced and deep insight into international students' experiences, I used a combination of focus groups with 24 international community college students who successfully transferred to four-year institutions and interviews with four faculty members from various academic areas. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: 1) "Challenges and dissatisfactions" highlights the difficulties facing international students at the community college level 2) "Skills and strategies to overcome challenges" focuses on the strategies used by international students and their abilities to overcome the difficulties of the transfer process and 3) "Sense of belonging" emphasizes the contribution of a supportive campus climate to the upward transfer of international students. Based on the findings, the study recommends the implementation of a comprehensive plan that includes professional development for faculty, staff, and administrators and the creation of new programs and services to serve the needs of international students.

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