International Graduate Student SpousesAdjustment and Experiences in a University Town

Taking Initiative and Constructing Identity

Project Background

• Mid State Literacy Council, Amy Wilson, Director

• Cultural and Current Events Community Group

• Dr. Esther Prins, Associate Professor Adult Education

• Kimeka Campbell PhD Candidate Adult Education and Comparative International Education (Dual Title)

Research Focus• International Graduate

Student Spouses at Penn State

• Understanding the social, academic, and cultural needs of IGSS

• Investigating adjustment experiences, notions of sacrifice, and construction of identity that accompany significant role changes

• Examining how IGSS overcome language, cultural, professional, and personal barriers to integration

Theoretical Framework• Sojourner Spouses (De

Verthelyi, 1990)

• Spouses of International Professionals ( Anderson, 2008)

• International Undergraduate and Graduate Student Wives (Chen, 2009; Marten & Grant, 2009, Ostler, 1990)

• Dr A. Yellig, Counsenling Psychologist. Dissertation work on IGSS. (Yellig, 2010)

• International Sojourners to the United States (Ruetrakul, 1987)

Research Methods• Participant Background

– 13 adults, 11 women, two men, ages 28-55

– Taiwan, Columbia, Korea, China, Russia

– 11 former professionals, two students

– All at BA level, 12 at MA level or above

• Research Questions:– How do IGSS enrolled in ESL classes

describe adjustment to U.S. university town; in particular their social integration and changes in their roles and identities?

– How do IGSS seek to gain entrée and navigate socials paces within their new community?

– What to IGSS believe enabled and hindered their social integration?

Getting at IGSS Experience• Mapping Your Experience

• Where IGSS spend the Most time (IGSS Maps)

• Adjustment to New roles and New Community

• Gaining Entrée and Navigating Social Spaces (Transcript)

• Factors Enabling and Hindering Social Integration (Recording EE, 18:45)

IGSS MAPS HOME

DowntownArea

Shopping

Religious InstitutionsPSU Culturally

Connected Place

Dr/HealthMostly North of Campus

Eating,Library,Coffee,ESL,

Comm. Classes

Chinese, Korean,

and American Churches

Far Corners,European Market,

Cultural Restaurants

HUB, Patee,

Computer Building, Gym

Sam's, Wal-Mart, target,

ross, Macy’s Nittany mall, Weis,

Wegman’s

Image Credits• Dr. Esther Prins, Picture • http://www.ed.psu.edu/educ/adult-education/faculty/esther-prins

• Amy Wilson, Picture• http://www.centredaily.com/2011/07/28/2861087/literacy-council-appoints-new.html

• Mobile App Testing, Globe• http://www.mobileapptesting.com/mobileapptesting-com-where-my-readers-at/2011/06/globe/

• Sojourner’s Image• http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=rKt&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-

US:official&biw=1280&bih=880&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=Dfut6BKHv_YMYM:&imgrefurl=http://dailyagenda.org/2011/03/14/sojourners/&docid=5DufPHjO3GreoM&imgurl=http://dailyagenda.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Sojourners_logo1.jpg&w=163&h=170&ei=COBPT_GsNYrV0QG5mYj3DQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=367&sig=102456687537844763695&page=1&tbnh=136&tbnw=130&start=0&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:0&tx=51&ty=93

• Flags Image• http://www.google.com/imgres?start=151&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=D2D&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-

US:official&biw=1280&bih=880&addh=140&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=xZaQLJlaEVvcuM:&imgrefurl=http://picsbox.biz/key/flags%2520image&docid=KZ8veYU1lmYUtM&imgurl=http://www.core.org.cn/NR/rdonlyres/Global/0/025543D0-BF05-4EF1-94D0-AC878E19B775/0/flags.jpg&w=303&h=350&ei=guBPT8qUNqHz0gGb04nODQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=397&sig=102456687537844763695&page=6&tbnh=159&tbnw=138&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:151&tx=74&ty=52

•Experience Image

• http://www.esw-layer.com/attachments/Image/experience.jpg

• Penn State Logo• http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/lions6958/psu_logo.png