A Qualitative Exploration of On-Campus Experiences of English-Speaking Graduate International Students at a Leading Japanese University

Authors

  • Mahboubeh Rakhshandehroo Osaka University, Japan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v8i4.233

Keywords:

university support, graduate international student, internationalization of higher education, Japan

Abstract

With the rapid expansion of English-medium courses/degree programs at Japanese universities over the past 15 years, a greater number of English-speaking international students from diverse backgrounds are being attracted. However, little research has been conducted to address the needs of this minority group, especially at the graduate level. Employing interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), this study explores on-campus satisfaction with life (SWL) of nine graduate international students studying primarily in the Englishmedium regarding the support model of their Japanese university. Four master themes of traditional support, student ideal support, challenges, and best practices are discussed. The results present effective Japanese university support strategies that can promote SWL of English-medium graduate international students.

Author Biography

  • Mahboubeh Rakhshandehroo, Osaka University, Japan

    MAHBOUBEH RAKHSHANDEHROO, MA, is a PhD Candidate in Critical Studies in Transformative Education, Osaka University’s Graduate School of Human Sciences. Her major research interest lies in the area of graduate international student English-Medium Instruction (EMI) support at Japanese universities. 

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Published

2018-10-01

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Section

Research Articles (English)

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How to Cite

A Qualitative Exploration of On-Campus Experiences of English-Speaking Graduate International Students at a Leading Japanese University. (2018). Journal of International Students, 8(4), 1831–1847. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v8i4.233