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Integration and Experience of International Student-Athletes at NCAA Division I Institutions

Hong, Ye
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9953-4648
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1522330873725909

Abstract Details

2018, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Higher Education (Education).
The purpose of this qualitative research study was to analyze and develop an in-depth understanding of the integration and experience of international student-athletes at National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institutions in the United States. International student-athletes who participated in this study were not born in the U.S., and English was not their native language. An online questionnaire that contained 36 questions was emailed to international student-athletes at randomly selected NCAA Division I institutions. A total of 48 international student-athletes, including nine interviewees, from nine NCAA Division I conferences completed the online questionnaire. One-on-one interviews were conducted with international student-athletes who expressed their willingness to participate in the interviews. In-depth information was collected from the one-on-one interviews to better understand the challenges that international student-athletes faced during their time in the U.S., as well as the factors that eased their integration to the campus life in the U.S. The research data aligned with five main themes regarding the integration and experience of international student-athletes in Division I: • Motivations. • Recruitment process. • Adjustment and integration. • Development of international student-athletes. • Areas of improvement from participants’ perspectives. Results revealed that the recruitment process of international student-athletes, which was different from that of domestic student-athletes in terms of the initial contacts from the coaches, the start of the recruitment process, the campus visits, as well as some recruiting advantages. This research also uncovered some specific challenges that international student-athletes might face such as the different educational and athletic systems, the balance between academics and athletics, the relationship with coaches and teammates, cultural differences and other challenges in life. Regardless of the challenges and difficulties during the adjustment, most participants valued and appreciated the opportunities of being student-athletes in the U.S. This research also provided constructive recommendations to athletics personnel to create the best possible environment for international student-athletes to excel in both academics and athletics. Recommendations for future international student-athletes were also highlighted based on the research data shared by interviewees.
David Horton (Advisor)
Ming Li (Committee Member)
Peter Mather (Committee Member)
Lijing Yang (Committee Member)
David Moore (Committee Member)
215 p.
Education; Higher Education
intercollegiate athletics; international student-athlete; integration; adjustment; development

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hong, Y. (2018). Integration and Experience of International Student-Athletes at NCAA Division I Institutions [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1522330873725909

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hong, Ye. Integration and Experience of International Student-Athletes at NCAA Division I Institutions. 2018. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1522330873725909.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hong, Ye. "Integration and Experience of International Student-Athletes at NCAA Division I Institutions." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1522330873725909

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1522330873725909
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© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.