A journey of acculturation and growth: An autoethnography of an international counseling psychologist in training

Qiang Xie; Zishan Jiwani; Simon B. Goldberg

doi:10.32674/hez23k80

Authors

Qiang Xie University of Wisconsin-Madison https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3968-9629
Zishan Jiwani University of Wisconsin-Madison https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9054-8982
Simon B. Goldberg University of Wisconsin-Madison https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6888-0126

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/hez23k80

Keywords:

International students, multiculturalism, social justice, identity development, training and education, counseling psychology

Abstract

The experiences of international counseling psychology students (ICPS) across multiple domains of training and their professional identity development were under-investigated. To address this gap, this study used autoethnography to explore the implications of international student identity for one ICPS with a lower socioeconomic background and first-generation college student status. Guided by an open-ended research question, this autoethnography was developed through an iterative, narrative-driven process. Personal and professional sources supported the writing process. Three recurring areas of experience emerged: (1) Adjustment Challenges Related to International Student Identity, (2) Strengths Tied to International Student Identity, and (3) Developing a Social Justice-Oriented Professional Identity through Lived Experience and Training as an ICPS. The findings highlight minority stress experienced by ICPS and the dialectical coexistence of challenges and strengths in their training. Recommendations are provided to professional organizations, training programs, and mentors to enhance culturally responsive training for ICPS.

Author Biographies

Qiang Xie, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Qiang Xie, M.Ed., is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Counseling Psychology and a graduate research assistant at the Center for Healthy Minds at University of Wisconsin–Madison. His research focuses on the development, improvement, implementation, and optimization of digital interventions and meditation training with a commitment to bridging service gaps for individuals with marginalized identities. He also has a special interest in culturally sensitive interventions for international students and in advancing training and education for international counseling psychology students. Email: qiang.xie@wisc.edu
Zishan Jiwani, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Zishan Jiwani, M.A., is a fifth year Ph.D. student in the Department of Counseling Psychology with a minor in Data Science & Research Methods. His research focuses on the question: How do our identities and contexts influence our psychological wellbeing and experience with psychological interventions? He is particularly interested in exploring the potential impact of marginalized, minoritized, and stigmatized identities such as race, caste and socioeconomic status to identify both strengths and challenges.
Simon B. Goldberg, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Simon B. Goldberg, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling Psychology and Core Faculty at the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He conducts research on psychotherapy, with a specific emphasis on the effects of and mechanisms underlying meditation- and mindfulness-based interventions. His recent work is focused on the digital delivery of meditation training.

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A journey of acculturation and growth

An autoethnography of an international counseling psychologist in training

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A journey of acculturation and growth

An autoethnography of an international counseling psychologist in training

Authors

DOI:

Keywords:

Abstract

Author Biographies

References

Downloads

Published

Issue

Section

Categories

License

How to Cite

Make a Submission

metrics

In Collaboration With

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publish

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sponsors