Crossing Borders: International Women Students in American Higher Education

by Dongxiao Qin

Overview

This book explores the processes of self-understanding that take place in a group of Chinese women studying in universities in the United States. In the past few decades, there has been an increasing number of Chinese women attending U.S. universities, yet their psychological experiences within American culture have not been a focus of study by researchers in higher education. Those who crossed geographic, cultural, and psychological borders to study in the U.S. described their change as a basic psychological process called 'reweaving a fragmented self.' This book contributes to the educator's understanding of the diversity of international women's student experiences, expectations, and desires.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761844839
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	05/15/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	226
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Dongxiao Qin, Ph.D., is associate professor of psychology at Western New England College in Springfield, Massachusetts. She has been published in Feminism & Psychology, International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, Encyclopedia of Women and Gender, and Diversity and Development.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Part I: Introduction
Part 2 Background and Significance
Part 3 Theoretical Grounding
Part 4 The Inquiry
Part 5 Part II: A Critical Review of Traditional Models of Self Development
Part 6 Self in Western Pyschology
Part 7 Self in Chinese Psychology
Part 8 Self in Anthropology and Cultural Psychology
Part 9 Self in Phenomenology, Symbolic Interaction and Sociocultural Theories
Part 10 Self in Cultural Feminist Theories
Part 11 Voices from Critical Feminist Theories
Part 12 Deconstructing Self from Postmodern Feminist Theorists
Part 13 Toward a Critical and Local Interpretation of Culture and Self
Part 14 Chinese Students in the United States
Part 15 Overview
Part 16 Part III: Grounded Theory Approach
Part 17 Methodology
Part 18 Theoretical and Epistemological Underpinings
Part 19 Participants and Sampling
Part 20 Interview
Part 21 Data Analysis
Part 22 Identifying Processes and Phases
Part 23 Validity Issues
Part 24 Part IV: Reweaving a Fragmented Self in Cross-Cultural Contexts
Part 25 Major Process: Reweaving a Fragmented Web of Self
Part 26 Being Women Students in One's Homeland: Weaving Self
Part 27 Becoming International Women Graduates in a New Land: Fragmenting Self
Part 28 Reweaving Self
Part 29 Summary of Processes and Variations
Part 30 Part V:Theoretical Implications
Part 31 Weaving Self in Socio-Cultural Contexts
Part 32 Fragmenting Self by Deconstructing Ways of Being in Cultural Contexts
Part 33 Reweaving Multiple Selves through Critical Cultural Elements
Part 34 Implications for Theory Building
Part 35 Implications to American Higher Education
Part 36 Assisting International Women Students in U.S. Universities
Part 37 Specific Suggestions to Faculty and Administrators in U.S. Universities
Part 38 Advice to Prospective International Women Students
Part 39 Implications to Help International Women Students in American Higher Education
Part 40 Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

Qin's study of Chinese women studying in universities in the United States is incredibly timely…. Crossing Borders makes an important contribution…. Qui has provided a springboard for continued dialogue and research.

Journal Of International Women's Studies

By reading this book, university faculty who work with Chinese women international students will have a rare insight into these students' subjective experiences and gain a deeper understanding of their needs…. This book will likely inspire interest in further research in this area, and it is a timely contribution to the growing focus on examining the intersectionality of multiple identities.

Psychology of Women Quarterly

Crossing Borders: International Women Students in American Higher Education is a compelling example of qualitative research that illuminates a concept, transitions in the sense of self, and describes the experiences of a particular group.. .. While the voices of the interviewed women are compelling and interesting in their own right, the theoretical contribution of this book is in its argument that a critical and local interpretation of cultures and self is an important conceptual framework.. .. In addition to the theoretical contribution and illustration of meaningful cultural differences, Qin offers advice for both American hosts and Chinese students, bringing her conclusions to a practical level. For that reason, I recommend this book for people who work with international students.

PsycCRITIQUES

Crossing Borders: International Women Students in American Higher Education is a compelling example of qualitative research that illuminates a concept, transitions in the sense of self, and describes the experiences of a particular group.. .. While the voices of the interviewed women are compelling and interesting in their own right, the theoretical contribution of this book is in its argument that a critical and local interpretation of cultures and self is an important conceptual framework.. .. In addition to the theoretical contribution and illustration of meaningful cultural differences, Qin offers advice for both American hosts and Chinese students, bringing her conclusions to a practical level. For that reason, I recommend this book for people who work with international students.

January 2010 PsycCRITIQUES

By reading this book, university faculty who work with Chinese women international students will have a rare insight into these students' subjective experiences and gain a deeper understanding of their needs…. This book will likely inspire interest in further research in this area, and it is a timely contribution to the growing focus on examining the intersectionality of multiple identities.

Psychology Of Women Quarterly