Challenges and Resilience of First-Year Chinese International Students on Academic Probation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v14i2.5282Keywords:
Chinese international students, undergraduate students, resilience, academic probation, qualitative studyAbstract
A substantial percentage of international students are placed on academic probation each year. This study explored the challenges and resilience characteristics of Chinese international students placed on academic probation in their first year of college. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine probationary Chinese international students, and the data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. The results indicated that challenges with daily routine, reduced adult supervision, inadequate academic preparation, and limited participation in the application process were the main factors that contributed to their academic probation. Proactivity, independence, and flexible thinking were important resilience characteristics that may have helped students cope positively with stresses relating to academic probation. Targeted institutional support could be strengthened. Implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
References
Ahmed, J. U., Chowdhury, M. H. K., Rahman, S., & Talukder, A. M. H. (2014). Academic probation: An empirical study of private university students. Research in Education, 92(1), 1-17.
Arcand, I., & Leblanc, R. (2011). Academic probation and companioning: Three perspectives on experience and support. Mevlana Intenational Journal of Education (MIJE).
Beattie, G., Laliberté, J. W. P., Michaud-Leclerc, C., & Oreopoulos, P. (2019). What sets college thrivers and divers apart? A contrast in study habits, attitudes, and mental health. Economics letters, 178, 50-53.
Benard, B. (1995). Fostering Resilience in Children. ERIC Digest.
Bottrell, D. (2013). Responsibilised resilience? Reworking neoliberal social policy texts. M/C Journal, 16(5).
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
Ching, Y., Renes, S. L., McMurrow, S., Simpson, J., & Strange, A. T. (2017). Challenges facing Chinese international students studying in the United States. Educational Research and Reviews, 12(8), 473-482.
Conner, D. R. (1993). Managing at the speed of change: How resilient managers succeed and prosper where others fail. New York: Villard Books.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage publications.
Erazo, Y. P. (2017). Persisting past probation: An exploration of the experiences and perceptions of community college students on academic probation: An interpretative phenomenological analysis (Doctoral dissertation, Northeastern University).
Eshel, Y., Kimhi, S., Lahad, M., Leykin, D., & Goroshit, M. (2018). Risk factors as major determinants of resilience: A replication study. Community mental health journal, 54(8), 1228-1238.
Fletcher, J. M., & Tokmouline, M. (2018). The effects of academic probation on college success: Regression discontinuity evidence from four texas universities. Available at SSRN 3097330.
Han, X., Han, X., Luo, Q., Jacobs, S., & Jean-Baptiste, M. (2013). Report of a mental health survey among Chinese international students at Yale University. Journal of American College Health, 61(1), 1-8.
Heng, T. T. (2019). Understanding the Heterogeneity of International Students’ Experiences: A Case Study of Chinese International Students in U.S. Universities. Journal of Studies in International Education, 1028315319829880. doi:10.1177/1028315319829880
Holmes, A. G. D. (2020). Researcher Positionality--A Consideration of Its Influence and Place in Qualitative Research--A New Researcher Guide. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 8(4), 1-10.
Institute of International Education (IIE). (2020). Open Doors Report 2020. Retrieved from https://opendoorsdata.org/fast_facts/fast-facts-2020/
Institutional Research, Office of the Provost. (2019). First Fall Probation Status of First Time Entering Cohorts. Fall 2019 Probation Data. Michigan State University.
James, C., & Graham, S. (2010). An empirical study of students on academic probation. Journal of the First-year experience & Students in Transition, 22(2), 71-91.
Kirkpatrick, R., & Zang, Y. (2011). The negative influences of exam-oriented education on Chinese high school students: Backwash from classroom to child. Language testing in Asia, 1(3), 36.
Liu, M. (2009). Addressing the mental health problems of Chinese international college students in the United States. Advances in Social Work, 10(1), 69-86.
Ma, J. (2020). Supporting practices to break Chinese international students’ language barriers: The first step to facilitate their social adjustment. Journal of International Students, 10(1), 84-105.
Mei, J. (2019). Lost or Found: Experiences of First-Year Chinese International Students Who Are on Academic Probation after Their First Semester. Michigan State University.
Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation. Jossey-Bass.
Nada, C. I., & Araújo, H. C. (2019). ‘When you welcome students without borders, you need a mentality without borders’ internationalisation of higher education: evidence from Portugal. Studies in Higher Education, 44(9), 1591-1604.
Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative (NSSC) (2020). General. Michigan State University. Retrieved from https://nssc.msu.edu/faq/
Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS). (2021). Statistical Report. Michigan State University. https://oiss.isp.msu.edu/about/statistical-report/
Organizational Development Resources [now Conner Partners]. (2001). ODR personal resilience profile feedback. (Available from Conner Partners, 1230 Peachtree St., Suite 1000, Atlanta, GA 30309)
Qin, D. B., (2018). Family Transitions and Parenting a College Student: A Conversation with Freshmen Spartan Parents [PowerPoint slides]. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University. https://oiss.isp.msu.edu/files/3715/3472/3442/Family_Transitions_and_Parenting_a_College_Student_English.pdf
Sage, T. L. (2010). Academic probation: How students navigate and make sense of their experiences (Doctoral dissertation, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Fine Arts and Communication).
Saidin, K. (2016). Insider researchers: Challenges & opportunities. Proceedings of the ICECRS, 1(1), v1i1-563.
Shao, X., Hufnagel, P., & Karp, R. (2010). The effect of clarion transitions on student academic performance and retention. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 11(4), 435-457.
Sneyers, E., & De Witte, K. (2017). The effect of an academic dismissal policy on dropout, graduation rates and student satisfaction. Evidence from the Netherlands. Studies in Higher Education, 42(2), 354-389.
Spurling, S., & Gabriner, R. (2003). Students on academic probation at City College of San Francisco. San Francisco, CA: City College of San Francisco. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 481773)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2015). Students. Retrieved from https://www.unesco.org/en/tags/students
Walsh, F. (2015). Strengthening family resilience. Guilford publications.
Wang, J. (2009). A study of resiliency characteristics in the adjustment of international graduate students at American universities. Journal of Studies in International Education, 13(1), 22-45.
Ward, T., Jacobs, J., & Thompson, R. T. (2016). International Freshman Performance: GPA, Retention, Graduation. College and University, 91(1), 2-10.
Yan, K., & Berliner, D. C. (2009). Chinese International Students’ Academic Stressors in the United States. College Student Journal, 43(4).
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Journal of International Students
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
All published articles are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 Unported License.
