In-Class and Out-of-Class Experiences of International Graduate Students in the United States

This qualitative case study aims to understand participants’ perceptions of In-Class and Out-of-Class experiences of graduate students in the United States. Data were collected as part of a larger mixed-methods study involving 110 participants identified by the institution’s Center for International Education. The participants consisted of 12 graduate students enrolled in doctoral degree programs in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States who represented the following countries: Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Mexico, and China. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and coded using consensual qualitative research methodology (Hill, et al., 2005). To highlight our findings and ensure the privacy of our participants, we created three firstperson composite portraits (Rossman & Rallis, 2003). Common themes are presented with the participants’ rich descriptions. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.Key words: International students; Challenges; Benefits; Recruitment; Qualitativ