Learning Race and Racism While Learning: Experiences of International Students Pursuing Higher Education in the Midwestern United States

Abstract

Researchers have documented how race and racism influence the college experiences of U.S. citizens. However, research on the ways that race and racism affect international students warrants similar attention. This qualitative study explored how international students learned about U.S. concepts of race and racism and how such concepts shaped their college experiences. The participating international college students learned about U.S. concepts of race and racism through media, relationships, formal education, and lived experiences. They defined these concepts in varying ways and had varying racial ideologies.

Asian International Student and Asian American Student: Mistaken Identity and Racial Microaggressions

“…This study expands the literature on Asian international students' unheard stories of overt racism, microaggressions, and unfair treatment by drawing from Asian American students' historical, social, and racialized counter-narratives and stories to provide insight into the racialized experiences of Asian international students. Asian international students may not fully grasp U.S. historical and sociocultural meanings of race, Asian racial identity, or color consciousness prior to arriving in this country (Fries-Britt, George Mwangi, & Peralta, 2014;Lewis, 2016;Mitchell, Steele, Marie, & Timm, 2017). However, extended residency in the United States creates a greater likelihood that Asian international students will perceive and experience U.S. racism (Poyrazli & Lopez, 2007).…”

Diversity without integration? Racialization and spaces of exclusion in international higher education

“…Parents talked about not wanting their children to live in apartments where Black students concentrate, nor to go out at night without company because 'dangerous' Black 'criminals' would impose dangers to Chinese students. Mitchell et al (2017) articulate various venues through which international students learn about racial concepts: media, relationships, formal education and lived experiences. This study confirms that all those venues are instrumental in Chinese students' racial understanding.…”

Understanding Black-African International Students’ Experiences in United States Colleges and Universities through Social Identity Theory

“…The situation with the non-BAISs presents the international students' population as an intergroup on its own. Mitchell et al (2017) conducted a qualitative study to explore how international students in the United States learned about and were impacted by race and racism. The researchers found that most international students learned about race and racism through the media like international media houses (e.g., George Floyd's killing was broadcasted globally and protests related to his killing were also organized globally) and education (e.g., African American studies, United States history, which includes civil rights movements, etc.).…”

“…However, BAISs learned about racism through experience too. Mitchell et al (2017) reported that some BAISs were victims of racial microaggressions by their professors and peers in U.S. higher education institutions. Racial microaggressions are offenses that are racially related, which Black people perceive as being directed to them through communication (Sue et al, 2007).…”