Campus Units
Education, School of
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Accepted Manuscript
Publication Date
6-15-2020
Journal or Book Title
Community College Review
DOI
10.1177/0091552120932223
Abstract
Objective: International reverse transfer students are international students who begin their postsecondary journey at a four-year institution but subsequently transfer to a community college. In this qualitative study, we examine the lived experiences of international reverse transfers to understand the reasons for reverse-transfer and to understand the students’ learning experiences. Methods: Using a phenomenological approach, we recruited 10 international reverse transfer students attending one four-year university or one of the two community colleges. We conducted individual interviews with all participants and analyzed transcript data through Bourdieu’s sociological theory of field, habitus, and social and cultural capital. Results: We identified three types of international reverse transfer students: undergraduate reverse transfers, temporary reverse transfers, and postbaccalaureate reverse transfers. Each type reported different reasons for reverse transfer but shared similar influential factors of the reverse transfer process as well as the learning experiences while enrolled at the community colleges. Contributions: This study helps to fill an information and research gap regarding international reverse transfer students. We present the academic, social, and cultural challenges faced by international students and offer practical implications for higher education practitioners for improved understandings and better processes to serve international students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Copyright Owner
Sage Journals
Copyright Date
2020
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Chen, Yu April; Li, Ran; and Hagedorn, Linda Serra, "International Reverse Transfer Students: A Critical Analysis Based on Field, Habitus, and Social and Cultural Capital" (2020). Education Publications. 155.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/edu_pubs/155
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Community College Leadership Commons, Curriculum and Social Inquiry Commons, Higher Education Commons, International and Comparative Education Commons
Comments
Yu “April” Chen, Ran Li, Linda Serra Hagedorn International Reverse Transfer Students: A Critical Analysis Based on Field, Habitus, and Social and Cultural Capital. Community College Review. June 2020. Doi: 10.1177/0091552120932223. Posted with permission.