A phenomenological exploration of discrimination as perceived by international students: Implications for counseling psychology

• Main Author: Fernandes, Edison
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2007
• Subjects: Students, Foreign > Philippines; Foreign students; Discrimination > Philippines; Counseling
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/177; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_doctoral/article/1176/viewcontent/CDTG004383_P.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

This phenomenological study explored and described the experience of discrimination as perceived by visiting international students studying in Manila, Philippines. Throughout this process, voice was given to these students, and the essence of discrimination was articulated. The general aim of this study was to develop a greater understanding about the issue of discrimination through in depth interviews involving international students studying in Metro Manila. The phenomenological research design, in depth interviews, demographic questions, open-ended questionnaires and field notes were used for data collection. The use of 4 interraters, participants as active collaborators and thick descriptions increased credibility. Initially 131 participants (40 diverse nationalities) responded to an open-ended questionnaire and then 9 selected participants (9 diverse nationalities) were interviewed in depth. All these participants were selected on the basis of their fit with 5 criteria. The participants of the study came from 20 colleges/universities in Metro Manila. The data from the unstructured in depth interviews were audio taped, transcribed for thematic analysis, content analyzed and six salient themes emerged. These six themes were indicative of the essence of discrimination according to the perceptions of the participants. These themes are: Financial Extortion and Corrupt Practices towards Foreigners; Impolite/ Artificial Behaviors towards Non-Filipinos; Insensitivity towards Non-Tagalog Speakers; Preference for White Skin Foreigners and First World Nations; Ignorance and Misconceptions about Foreigners and Nations and Clannish/ Grouping attitudes among Host Nationals. The emerging themes were then woven into a iv single unified essence of the experience. This captured the essence of discrimination as perceived by international students. Understanding the dimensions of discrimination from the perspective of those who experience it has implications for counseling psychology. The researcher used the findings to propose recommendations for counseling practice, future research and student advisors, administrators, international students and policymakers. Finally, the research findings were codified into a practical primer for international students.