Analysis of international students’ experience through the autoethnography method

Abstract

Studying abroad becomes more popular with very single year. However, quite often people, while following the perfect image of studying overseas, totally forget about the unexpected challenges they might face abroad, that can make a tremendous impact on their experience. That is why, it is extremely important to consider all the factors that can influence students’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being during their studies overseas. The main research method that is used for this paper is autoethnography which is a qualitative research approach that an author uses for writing about his or her own experience in a specific cultural context. Using autoethnography as the lens, a comparison of an author’s experience as an exchange student in Fayetteville State University and as an intern at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada is provided. Quite often autoethnography is not perceived as a scientific method because of its subjectivity − a researcher makes conclusions based on personal perception. That is why one of the ways that researchers use to make their work more credible is ratio of own text with data that was received by other research. For this reason, a literature review and statistics are used to provide context to the topic of international education. Through the use of autoethnography supported by a literature review, this research paper will define the key aspects that international students should pay attention to while choosing a place to study abroad, including differences in living conditions and education in Canada and USA. With the help of a Likert scale, the author grades different factors that make an impact on students’ experience abroad, and, thus, defines the best destination for studying overseas. According to an analysis that was provided in the paper, the research highlights the strengths and limitations of different post-secondary institutions in three countries and demonstrates the breadth of experiences that are part of studying in various venues locally, nationally and internationally.

Keywords

• autoethnography, university, students, education, experience.