Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

‘Am I Good Enough?’: Psychological Barriers and the Intersection of Gender, Race, and Coloniality in Brazilian Students’ Pursuit of International Education

Mendes Sousa, Ana Cecilia LU (2025) SIMZ11 20251
Graduate School
Abstract
This thesis analyzes Brazilian students’ psychological barriers to accessing international education opportunities. Based on a mixed-methods approach, it explores how internalized feelings of inferiority, low academic confidence, and perception of not belonging are rooted in colonial legacy, at a racial and gendered intersection, more strongly perceived by marginalized groups. The study emphasizes how internalized oppression affects Brazilian students' views of themselves and their place in global education through a decolonial and intersectional lens. The findings show the need for more inclusive policies and systems to ensure Brazilian students, especially women of color, can adequately access international opportunities, a framework... (More)
This thesis analyzes Brazilian students’ psychological barriers to accessing international education opportunities. Based on a mixed-methods approach, it explores how internalized feelings of inferiority, low academic confidence, and perception of not belonging are rooted in colonial legacy, at a racial and gendered intersection, more strongly perceived by marginalized groups. The study emphasizes how internalized oppression affects Brazilian students' views of themselves and their place in global education through a decolonial and intersectional lens. The findings show the need for more inclusive policies and systems to ensure Brazilian students, especially women of color, can adequately access international opportunities, a framework widely applicable to other Global South contexts. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Mendes Sousa, Ana Cecilia LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMZ11 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
International Education, Academic Mobility, Brazilian Students, Decoloniality, Intersectionality, Women of Color.
language
English
id
9207924
date added to LUP
2025-07-28 13:48:14
date last changed
2025-07-28 13:48:14
@misc{9207924,
  abstract     = {{This thesis analyzes Brazilian students’ psychological barriers to accessing international education opportunities. Based on a mixed-methods approach, it explores how internalized feelings of inferiority, low academic confidence, and perception of not belonging are rooted in colonial legacy, at a racial and gendered intersection, more strongly perceived by marginalized groups. The study emphasizes how internalized oppression affects Brazilian students' views of themselves and their place in global education through a decolonial and intersectional lens. The findings show the need for more inclusive policies and systems to ensure Brazilian students, especially women of color, can adequately access international opportunities, a framework widely applicable to other Global South contexts.}},
  author       = {{Mendes Sousa, Ana Cecilia}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{‘Am I Good Enough?’: Psychological Barriers and the Intersection of Gender, Race, and Coloniality in Brazilian Students’ Pursuit of International Education}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}