Scholastics, Pabulum, Clans, Transformation: A Journey into Otherness

Semistructured
interviews with 13 of the lead researcher’s former students from
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, who are multi-national, multi-lingual and
pursuing degrees in law, business, economics, medicine, education, art and
media, in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia elucidated this
reality. Their experiences demonstrated scholastic and pabulum frustrations
that were offset in part by constant communication with their clans in
person and through various technologies. Though the current model of
higher education often seeks to identify and categorize international
students as a group, this study shows that international students are unique
individuals. Recognizing their individuality, higher education institutions
and policymakers can more appropriately respond to international students’
needs.