Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-8-2020
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
NaYoun Lee
Second Advisor
Teresa Lefmann
Third Advisor
John Green
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
This study explores the lived experiences of international students at the University of Mississippi (UM). Using a phenomenological approach, the participants’ stories were understood and offered as a counter-narrative to existing literature dominated by White Americans. The interviews were processed through the lens of Critical Race Theory, specifically the microaggressions framework to account for modern-day racism as it evolves alongside culture. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with international students at UM ranging from exchange to PhD candidates. These participants are from various countries around the globe, chosen through convenience sampling. The interviews were coded using NVivo12. The results of this study produced four themes: 1) English language as a barrier and basis of predominantly negative experiences; 2) the value of cultural differences to international students; 3) a sense of belonging on the UM Campus that may seem paradoxical but not contradictory; 4) racialization as a new experience. The purpose of this study is to both fill a gap in existing literature as well as prompt a discussion regarding international students’ experiences, roles, and representation on the UM campus.
Recommended Citation
Blythe, Morgan, "The Embeddedness of Racial Microaggressions in International Student Experiences at the University of Mississippi" (2020). Honors Theses. 1478.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1478
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