International Doctoral Student Experience

Compassion, Connection, Commitment, and Creativity

Authors

  • Jing Mao University of Vicotoria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12i4.3668

Keywords:

International doctoral students, rhythm of doctoral studies, 4Cs, Learner Agency

Abstract

International doctoral students live with more uncertainty than most academic populations. In this essay, I attempt to provide a framework for living an international doctoral life by reflecting on my academic studies and personal living practices, drawing on van Lier’s (2008) notion of learner agency. Living a rhythm of life through compassion, connection, commitment, and creativity could holistically benefit the academic studies and wellbeing of international doctoral students.

Author Biography

  • Jing Mao, University of Vicotoria

    Jing Mao currently is a recent Ph.D. graduate from the University of Victoria, Canada. Her research focuses on internationalization of higher education, academic writing, EAL students, and (second) language socialization. Before immigrating into Canada in 2015, she had taught EAL students for eight years at post-secondary level in China. 

References

Anderson, T. (2017). The doctoral gaze: Foreign PhD students’ internal and external academic discourse socialization. Linguistics and Education, 37, 1-10.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2016.12.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2016.12.001

Cassuto, L. & Weisbuch, R., (2021). Advice The Ph.D. Isn’t Working Right Now. [online] CHE.

https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-ph-d-isnt-working-right-now?

Haggerty, J. (2019). Multilingual undergraduate writers’ discourse socialization in a sheltered academic English Program [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of British Columbia.

Neff, K. (2013). Self-Compassion. London, England: Hodder & Stoughton.

Dufva, H. (2013). Language learning as dialogue and participation. In E. Christensen, L. Kuure, A. Mörch, & B. Lindström (Eds.), Problem-based learning for the 21st century. New Practices and Learning Environments (pp. 51-72). Aalborg: Aalborg University Press.

van Lier, L. (2004). The ecology and semiotics of language learning: A sociocultural perspective. Norwell, Mass; Boston; Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-7912-5

van Lier, L. (2008). Agency in the classroom. In J. P. Lantolf, & M. E. Poehner (Eds.), Sociocultural theory and the teaching of second languages (pp. 163–186). London: Equinox.

Zhang, Z., & Zhou, G. (2010). Understanding Chinese international students at a Canadian university: Perspectives, expectations, and experiences. Comparative and International Education, 39(3), 43-58. https://doi.org/10.5206/cie-eci.v39i3.9162 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5206/cie-eci.v39i3.9162

Zappa-Hollman, S., & Duff, P. A. (2015). Academic English socialization through individual networks of practice. TESOL Quarterly, 49(2), 333-368. doi:10.1002/tesq.188 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.188

Published

2022-01-03

Issue

Section

Cross-Border Narratives

How to Cite

International Doctoral Student Experience: Compassion, Connection, Commitment, and Creativity. (2022). Journal of International Students, 12(4), 1032-1037. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12i4.3668