This study assesses the experiences of international students in terms of perceived discrimination since entering an institution of higher learning in the United States. More specifically, the investigation focuses on the similarities and differences of the students as a function of their geographical region and other demographic factors such as gender, degree objective, and field of study. The findings indicate that international students coming from different regions experience discrimination in various degrees. The findings report that international students from the regions of the Middle East and Africa experience more discrimination than do students from other regions. The results also indicate that international students experience more discrimination off campus compared to on campus. In addition, the diversification of campus by international students is discussed as well as the importance of their presence in higher education. Challenges for the institutions of higher education and implications for counselors and educators are also addressed.
Altekruse, M. K., Harris, H. L., & Brandt, M. A. (2001). The role of the professional counselor in the 21st century. Counseling and Human Development, 34, 1-10.
2.
Brown, L. I. (2004). Diversity: The challenge for higher education. Race, Ethnicity and Education, 7, 21-34.
3.
Chapman, M. P. (1999). The campus at the millennium: A plea for community and place. Planning for Higher Education, 2, 25-31.
4.
Fenske, R. H., Rund, J. A., & Contento, J. M. (2000). Who are the new students? In M. Barr & M. Desler (Eds.), The handbook of student affairs administration (pp. 285-310). New York: Jossey-Bass.
5.
Galloway, F. J., & Jenkins, J. R. (2005). The adjustment problems faced by international students in the United States. NASPA Journal, 42, 175-187.
6.
Grieger, I. (1996). A multicultural organizational development checklist for student affairs. Journal of College Student Development, 37, 561-573.
7.
Hall, P. A. (1992). Peanuts: A note on intercultural communication. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 18, 211-213.
8.
Hanassab, S., & Tidwell, R. (2002). International students in higher education: Identification of needs and implications for policy and practice. Journal of Studies in International Education, 6, 305-322.
9.
Hutchinson, S. R., & Hyer, P. (2000). The campus climate for diversity: Student perceptions. Blacksburg, VA: Polytechnic Institute and State University.
10.
Institute of International Education. (2004). Open doors 2004: Report on international educational exchange. New York: Author.
11.
Johns, A. M. (2004). Linguistic diversity and instructional practices. In A. M. Johns & M. K. Sipp (Eds.), Diversity in college classrooms: Practices for today’s campuses (pp. 133-151). Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
12.
Kramer, M., & Weiner, S. S. (1994). Dialogues for diversity. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.
13.
Kuh, G. D. (1990). The demographic juggernaut. In M. J. Barr & M. L. Upcraft (Eds.), New futures for student affairs (pp. 71-97). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
14.
Lago, C., & Moodley, R. (2002). Multicultural issues in eclectic and integrative counseling and psychotherapy. In S. Palmer (Ed.), Multicultural counseling (pp. 40-56). London: Sage.
15.
Leong, F., & Chou, E. (1996). Counseling international students. In P. B. Pedersen & J. G. Draguns (Eds.), Counseling across cultures (pp. 210-242). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
16.
Matlock, J. (1997). Student expectations and experiences: The Michigan Study. Retrieved from www.diversityweb.org/digest/Sm97/research.html
17.
Mestenhauser, J. A. (1983). Learning from sojourners. In D. Landis & R. W. Brislin (Eds.), Handbook of intercultural training (pp. 153-186). Elmsford, NY: Pergamon.
18.
Nieto, S. (2004). Racism, discrimination, and expectations of students’ achievement. In A. S. Canestrari&B. A. Marlowe (Eds.), Educational foundations: An anthology of critical readings (pp. 44-63). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
19.
Paige, R. M. (1990). International students: Cross-cultural psychological perspectives. In R. W. Brislin (Ed.), Applied cross-cultural psychology (pp. 161-185). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
20.
Pedersen, P. B. (1991). Counseling international students. The Counseling Psychologist, 19, 10-58.
21.
Rong, X. L., & Brown, F. (2002). Immigration and urban education in the new millennium: The diversity and the challenges. Education and Urban Society, 34, 123-133.
22.
Schmader, T., Major, B., & Gramzow, R. H. (2001). Coping with ethnic stereotypes in the academic domain: Perceived injustice and psychological disengagement. Journal of Social Issues, 57, 93-111.
23.
Schram, J. L., & Lauver, P. J. (1988). Alienation in international students. Journal of College Student Development, 29, 146-150.
24.
Sodowsky, G. R., & Plake, B. S. (1992). A study of acculturation differences among international people and suggestions for sensitivity to within group differences. Journal of Counseling and Development, 71, 53-59.
25.
Soppelsa, B. (2002). The challenges of the cultural mosaic. International Educator, 11, 44.
26.
Spencer-Rodgers, J. (2001). Consensual and individual stereotypic beliefs about international students among American host nationals. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 25, 639-657.
27.
Young, R. L. (2004). Cross-cultural experiential learning. In A. M. Johns & M. K. Sipp (Eds.), Diversity in college classrooms: Practices for today’s campuses (pp. 232-246). Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
28.
Wang, M., & Folger, T. (2004). Faculty and student diversity. In A. M. Johns & M. K. Sipp (Eds.), Diversity in college classrooms: Practices for today’s campuses (pp. 152-173). Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
29.
Zayas, L. H., Torres, L. R., Malcolm, J., & DesRosiers, F. S. (1996). Clinicians’ definitions of ethnically sensitive therapy. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 27, 78-82.
