Asian International Doctoral Students' Experiences at Two American Universities: Assimilation, Accommodation, and Resistance

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the sojourn experiences of Asian international students enrolled in graduate programs at American universities. The six participants (3 women, 3 men) were Japanese. Korean, and Taiwanese doctoral students at two universities in the Big Ten Conference. The research design was exploratory multiple-case study (R. K. Yin, 2003) informed by the concept of the Sojourner (P. C. P. Siu, 1952) in terms of assimilation, accommodation, and resistance. The primary data sources were a demographic survey (C. M. Golde & T. M. Dore. 2004) and focused interviews (R. K. Yin, 2003). The demographic data were analyzed descriptively. The interview data were analyzed with constant comparative method (S. B. Merriam, 1998). The major themes that emerged from the data were (a) language differences, (b) academic plight, (c) mixed relationships, and (d) emerging self-awareness. Implications and strategies to promote Asian international students' academic and social success in graduate programs are discussed.