EXPERIENCES OF IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AND THE CHALLENGES OF ACCESSING THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Abstract

This qualitative study sought to understand how access, or lack of access, to a local community college can affect the self-identity of immigrant students living in southeastern Pennsylvania (PA). The primary sources of data included formal and informal interviews. Interview transcriptions, field notes, and subsequent short essay responses from participants were the primary sources of data used in evaluating their experiences. A year was spent observing and interacting with participants in a variety of settings, at home or at a nearby restaurant. Data was analyzed using triangulation matrices, coding and constant comparison methods to generate categories showing patterns and relationships of meaning. A narrative inquiry that employs the use of counterstories gives voice to the human dignity of immigrant students in the United States and their right to be acknowledged as intelligent, capable human beings with the capacity to learn and pursue their goals. An unexpected finding in this study was how the immigrant student’s struggle is amplified by racism in the form of microaggressions from classmates and employers.