Department
Social work department
Location
Bethel University
Document Type
Event
Start Date
10-25-2023
End Date
10-25-2023
Abstract
This study explored the lived experiences of Burmese refugee college students’ resettlement and the role that social support plays in that approach. A qualitative study using thematic analysis was conducted by analyzing 32 in-depth individual interviews with Burmese refugee students in higher education. Through an in-depth examination of the lived experiences of Burmese refugee college students’ resettlement, four main themes were identified: challenges of resettlement, resettlement needs, the resources of social support, and resettlement experiences. Refugee students actively cultivated their life and showed aspirations of being successful members of this new environment. Even though they faced many challenges and needs identified through interviews, the participants overcame these barriers including a different culture and language and prosper in their lives in the host country. The social support from the co-ethnic community and people in the host country both affected the participants’ successful resettlement. Co-ethnic community also plays an important role to pursue higher education. The study findings will be used by social work practice, programs, and policies to improve the success of Burmese refugee students' resettlement. This study would serve as a foundation for enhancing refugee students’ resettlement and understanding the critical role of social support resources during the resettlement period. *This research was awarded the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Korean American Social Work Educators Association at the annual Council for Social Work Education conference in California, in 2022.
Recommended Citation
Lim, Minyoung, "THE EXPERIENCE OF BURMESE REFUGEE STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: BLOOMING OUT OF CONCRETE" (2023). Day of Scholarship. 10.
https://spark.bethel.edu/dayofscholarship/fall2023/oct25/10
Included in
THE EXPERIENCE OF BURMESE REFUGEE STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: BLOOMING OUT OF CONCRETE
Bethel University
This study explored the lived experiences of Burmese refugee college students’ resettlement and the role that social support plays in that approach. A qualitative study using thematic analysis was conducted by analyzing 32 in-depth individual interviews with Burmese refugee students in higher education. Through an in-depth examination of the lived experiences of Burmese refugee college students’ resettlement, four main themes were identified: challenges of resettlement, resettlement needs, the resources of social support, and resettlement experiences. Refugee students actively cultivated their life and showed aspirations of being successful members of this new environment. Even though they faced many challenges and needs identified through interviews, the participants overcame these barriers including a different culture and language and prosper in their lives in the host country. The social support from the co-ethnic community and people in the host country both affected the participants’ successful resettlement. Co-ethnic community also plays an important role to pursue higher education. The study findings will be used by social work practice, programs, and policies to improve the success of Burmese refugee students' resettlement. This study would serve as a foundation for enhancing refugee students’ resettlement and understanding the critical role of social support resources during the resettlement period. *This research was awarded the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Korean American Social Work Educators Association at the annual Council for Social Work Education conference in California, in 2022.