"I Have a Wish": Anti-Asian Racism and Facing Challenges Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Asian International Graduate Students. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dong, Fanghong; Hwang, Yeji; Hodgson, Nancy A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of transcultural nursing. Volume 34:Number 2(2023)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: challenges -- mental health -- COVID-19 -- racism -- Asian international graduate students -- wish; Transcultural nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; Health attitudes -- Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1177/10436596221143331
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-6596

Abstract

Introduction: Although Asian international graduate students (AIGS) were at risk for mental health problems during the pandemic, little is known about the experience of international students during COVID-19. This study aimed to examine the experiences of AIGS who lived in the United States during COVID-19. Method: This qualitative descriptive study included 22 participants from five large universities in Philadelphia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during September and October 2020, and a thematic analysis was used for data analyses. Results: Three themes were found: (a) "We are left alone here": Being an international student; (b) "Stay busy" and "Do something": Being a graduate student; and (c) "I have a wish": Seeking for support, perceived support, and preferred counseling services as a self-advocator. Discussion: Help is needed for AIGS to navigate uncertainties, provide proper coping skills, make efforts against anti-Asian racism, and provide culturally based mental health resources.