عنوان

Transforming Perspectives:

TL49p6c622

انگلیسی

Transforming Perspectives:

[Thesis]

RAHYNS, JANELLE NICOLE

How Black Students Make Meaning of Multi-Country Study Abroad Experiences

ALLEN, WALTER; TERANISHI, ROBERT

UCLA

2018

UCLA

2018

Not all those who wander are lost.J.R.R. Tolkien (1954) Black (African American) students experience college uniquely compared to other racial and ethnic groups (Allen, 1992). The study abroad experience offers a different lens to explore Black student development and how Black students make meaning of this opportunity. The primary objective of this study was to gain an understanding of how participants reflected on their multi-country study abroad experiences and how they made sense of these experiences. I examined the study abroad experience through interpretive phenomenological analysis, utilizing Jack Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory (1992) to investigate how Black college students reflected on their experiences. I attempted to address the following research questions; What key experiences facilitate transformative learning in multi-country study abroad contexts for Black college students? In what ways do Black college students make meaning of their international experiences? How, if at all, can student experiences be interpreted through the lens of transformative learning theory? In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of seven Black college graduates who participated in multi-country study abroad experiences as undergraduates. Study rationale included the need to better support the college student development of Black students. Findings shed light on the unique Black college student experience, offering tools to support development. This dissertation identifies experiences that may contribute to providing educators, researchers, and policymakers insight on the study abroad experience for Black college students. For example, this dissertation identified Black students who participated in multi-country study abroad programs and applied a comparative lens to their study abroad experiences. Recommendations include expanding study abroad opportunities for Black students. The opportunity to experience differing countries provides a unique personal growth experience for Black students and these experiences may positively contribute to Black student development on US campuses. For example, Black students described and interpreted a strong sense of racial identity, interglobal competence, and commitment to activism after participating in a multi-country study abroad program. As race is the most salient identity named in their experiences abroad, Black students shared these experiences based on travel to different countries. These participants appeared to have a grounded and mature reflection on their racial identity and how race is viewed in other parts of the world.

RAHYNS, JANELLE NICOLE

ALLEN, WALTER; TERANISHI, ROBERT

UCLA

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y