| The number of international students studying in American high schools has skyrocketed over the past decade. Among them are Chinese females, a vulnerable population under-represented in the literature. This qualitative study looked at the social barriers these students face when transitioning into private American high schools and considered how such schools can better support them. Seven female Chinese secondary students were interviewed, and they took part in a focus group using protocols based on Flanagan's Critical Incident Technique (1954). Findings aligned with Berry's theory of acculturation (1997) and indicated that students encounter interior, exterior, and institutional barriers that can inhibit their ability to successfully acculturate, including problems with homestay families and racism. Additionally, results pointed to the importance of domestic students and school staff in supporting these students' emotional and academic needs. Ultimately, international agencies and the schools have the obligation to form stronger partnerships in order to better address the needs of this growing population. |
