Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

How Do International Students Perceive Social Integration? An Ethnographic Study.

Shayne, Marie Therese LU (2016) SIMV10 20161
Graduate School
Abstract
The study examined how international students perceive social integration. The University of Houston, Texas was used as a case study.
The study was based on a symbolic interactionism. Goffman’s theoretical concepts of “othering,” spoiled identities, stigma, labelling and impression management in a pluralistic/multicultural society are explored, as well as Putnam’s concepts of social capital sharing. The findings of the study discover adopted coping strategies by international students to reduce culture shock and heighten social integration. The study employed a thematic analysis to examine factors that may influence how students perceive social integration. The study seeks to illustrate how social capital sharing, knowledge sharing and... (More)
The study examined how international students perceive social integration. The University of Houston, Texas was used as a case study.
The study was based on a symbolic interactionism. Goffman’s theoretical concepts of “othering,” spoiled identities, stigma, labelling and impression management in a pluralistic/multicultural society are explored, as well as Putnam’s concepts of social capital sharing. The findings of the study discover adopted coping strategies by international students to reduce culture shock and heighten social integration. The study employed a thematic analysis to examine factors that may influence how students perceive social integration. The study seeks to illustrate how social capital sharing, knowledge sharing and acquisition and impression management interact with preconceived stereotypes and prejudice, impacting social interaction, adjustment and social integration.
The case study consisted of five subjects with diverse backgrounds. They were asked to illustrate their notion of America through their perspectives in interviews and visual communication in the medium of imagery. The methodology was based on Goffman’s concept of “Dramaturgy.” The purpose of this study is to explore international students’ perceptions of the host societies.
Although the study used international university students, the findings and results indicate future research opportunities and knowledge applicability in areas such as education, immigration and citizenship and, social policy. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Shayne, Marie Therese LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMV10 20161
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Social Integration, Adjustment, Goffman, Dramaturgy, Putnam, American Pluralism, American societies, Stereotypes, Social Norms, Visual Methodology, Photography, Sociology, International Students.
language
English
id
8892764
date added to LUP
2016-10-20 16:00:35
date last changed
2016-10-20 16:00:35
@misc{8892764,
  abstract     = {{The study examined how international students perceive social integration. The University of Houston, Texas was used as a case study.
The study was based on a symbolic interactionism. Goffman’s theoretical concepts of “othering,” spoiled identities, stigma, labelling and impression management in a pluralistic/multicultural society are explored, as well as Putnam’s concepts of social capital sharing. The findings of the study discover adopted coping strategies by international students to reduce culture shock and heighten social integration. The study employed a thematic analysis to examine factors that may influence how students perceive social integration. The study seeks to illustrate how social capital sharing, knowledge sharing and acquisition and impression management interact with preconceived stereotypes and prejudice, impacting social interaction, adjustment and social integration.
The case study consisted of five subjects with diverse backgrounds. They were asked to illustrate their notion of America through their perspectives in interviews and visual communication in the medium of imagery. The methodology was based on Goffman’s concept of “Dramaturgy.” The purpose of this study is to explore international students’ perceptions of the host societies.
Although the study used international university students, the findings and results indicate future research opportunities and knowledge applicability in areas such as education, immigration and citizenship and, social policy.}},
  author       = {{Shayne, Marie Therese}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{How Do International Students Perceive Social Integration? An Ethnographic Study.}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}