International Students Living With Extended Relatives

Some international students live with extended relatives such as aunts and uncles while studying in the United States. Research on college student family issues has not specifically explored the role and impact of living with local extended relatives on international students’ study experiences. To address this gap, this narrative multiple case study was conducted to explore the lived experiences of international students residing with aunts and uncles while attending college. The central research question was: What stories do international students tell about their U.S. college experience while living with aunts and uncles? The four sub-questions were (A) What are their stories of cultural experiences and influences related to the college-going process? (B) What are their stories of experiences related to academic participation? (C) What are their stories of experiences related to social interaction? (D) What are their stories of experiences related to changes in how they relate to themselves and others? Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and written reflections to capture and analyze nuanced personal narratives based on the theories of Arnett and Deardorff. Findings revealed complexities and variations among and within relationships, international students’ use of resources and diverse problem-solving methods, reliance on friends, and students acting as their own change agents. Implications for higher education institutions include the need to communicate clear guidance for the appropriate involvement of family in the students’ higher education experience.