Self-formation across borders: transnational students’ identity reconstruction while transitioning from international schools to higher education

ABSTRACT

Almost six million students study at international schools, constituting a rapidly expanding faction within the demographic of globally mobile students. Research has centered around the educational endeavors of these students within the sphere of secondary education. However, there has been a dearth of investigation concerning their pivotal period of transition to higher education institutions (HEIs). To address this research gap, this longitudinal qualitative research utilized a self-formation framework by delving into the interplay of factors characterizing the transition to HEIs and the dynamics of identity and agency among 19 transnational students from 10 different international schools in three countries. Findings unveil that the formative experiences of transnational students preceding their collegiate pursuits profoundly shaped their college transitions in sync with their transnational sense of belonging. Moreover, they viewed HEIs as instrumental in fostering a multifaceted comprehension of diversity, providing experiential learning experiences, and promoting the cultivation of students’ self-formation.

KEYWORDS:

• Self-formation
• transnational students
• agency
• transition
• international school
• higher education institution

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Minghui Hou

Minghui Hou is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Her research focuses on international and comparative higher education, student mobility, racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and student development. [email protected].

Natalie I. Cruz

Natalie I. Cruz is the Associate Director of Global Strategies and Initiatives at Emory University, where she leads the implementation of initiatives to advance Emory’s global strategies. Her research focuses more broadly on changing modes of global student mobility, the holistic experiences of international students worldwide, and increasing access to international education. [email protected].

Asuka Ichikawa

Asuka Ichikawa (she/her) is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Higher Education program at Boston College. Her research explores transnational student migration, intercultural identities/mental health, and internationalization of higher education. [email protected].

Chris R. Glass

Chris R. Glass is a Professor of the Practice in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College. His research explores global student mobility, virtual mobility and exchange, and equity, inclusion, and sustainability. [email protected].