Summary: | Thesis advisor: Celeste Wells === This essay investigates the experience of Latin American international students at
Boston College (BC) and how their preconceived notions impact both their experience
pre and post arrival to college. Boston College culture, language barriers, academic
pressure, housing arrangements and American norms are all factors that fuel the identity
crisis that Latin American students experience at Boston College. These factors either
drive Latin American students to engage in Boston College culture or, on the contrary,
impel students to isolate themselves from American culture and from befriending other
Americans. As seen through the conversations with students, the latter experience can
often lead to dissatisfied outlooks and the longing to return to the students’ host
countries. This study highlights the thoughts and experiences of Latin American students
at Boston College while also providing solutions on how to improve the International
Assistant Program (IAP) at Boston College. The solutions put forward in this study aim
to encourage other universities across the globe to improve their immersion programs so
that the needs of international students can be met. === Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2017. === Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. === Discipline: Arts and Sciences Honors Program. === Discipline: Communication.
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