‘Everything was Different from What I Had Expected’: A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Migrant Young Adults

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Authors: Regina T. Praetorius, Jaclyn Kirsch, Toni Gallegos
Cited by: 0
References: 24

Abstract

The growing rates of migration have been experienced by a wide range of age groups, with particular attention to youth, but the experiences of young adult migrants remain understudied. We used secondary qualitative data to conduct a thematic content analysis of reflections on migration from a course that is offered at a 4-year public university in Texas. Our analysis resulted in seven themes from students’ migration experiences. Our findings align with the previous literature on the unique challenges migrant students face. Likewise, they confirm the importance of social work educators in helping students navigate higher education.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Education and experiences of immigrants and refugees International Student and Expatriate Challenges Higher Education Research Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Migration and Development
Publication date
16 February 2026
Language
EN