International Students: What’s Missing and What Matters

With a growing number of international graduate students pursuing degrees in the United States, it is essential that universities understand the unique challenges this population faces. In this study, we researched the role that university’s international graduate student housing plays in building a sense of community among international students. This qualitative study explored 17 international graduate students lived experience in the United States regarding sense of community within the graduate housing complex. Findings suggest that international student residents faced several issues; these included satisfaction with their accommodation, the way their fellow neighbors conducted themselves in university housing and preferring to reach out to other international students from their home country. However, they were able to find support within other departments and smaller communities within university. Recommendations are presented to practitioners and future researchers so that they can effectively develop support for international graduate students.