Living Abroad During COVID-19

International Students’ Personal Relationships, Uncertainty, and Management of Health and Legal Concerns During a Global Pandemic

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12i3.3613

Keywords:

COVID-19, health uncertainty, international students, legal uncertainty, uncertainty management theory

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to better understand the uncertainties that international students faced and managed throughout COVID-19 and the impact these uncertainties had on their personal relationships. We conducted interviews with 14 international students and found that they were particularly uncertain about the health of their family members (RQ1a), their health (RQ1b), and where to wait out COVID-19 (RQ1c). Those uncertainties that could be navigated were managed via participants giving informational directives, providing instrumental support, making emotional appeals (RQ2a), engaging in new behaviors and self-care (RQ2b), and increasing communication with and withholding information from family members (RQ2c). Last, we found that COVID-19 impacted international students’ personal relationships in two distinct, positive, ways: they became closer with friends and connected more with family members (RQ3).  Overall, the findings from our study have implications for future research and offer suggestions for supporting international students during times of future uncertainty.

Author Biographies

  • Allison R. Thorson, University of San Francisco

    Allison R. Thorson (Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln) is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at University of San Francisco.

  • Eve-Anne M. Doohan, University of San Francisco

    Eve-Anne M. Doohan (Ph.D., University of Washington) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at University of San Francisco.

  • Leah Z. Clatterbuck, University of San Francisco

    Leah Z. Clatterbuck is an undergraduate student at the University of San Francisco.

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Published

2022-11-19

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2022)

Section

Research Articles (English)

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How to Cite

Living Abroad During COVID-19: International Students’ Personal Relationships, Uncertainty, and Management of Health and Legal Concerns During a Global Pandemic. (2022). Journal of International Students, 12(3), 654-673. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12i3.3613