Opportunities in the Lived Experiences of Successful High-Ability International Doctoral Students at

249 Pages·2017·2.13 MB·English

by  Nataliya Dudnytska

W&M ScholarWorks
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects
2017
Opportunities in the Lived Experiences of Successful High-Ability
International Doctoral Students at a Selective U.S. Higher
Education Institution
Nataliya Dudnytska
College of William and Mary,
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SUCCESSFUL HIGH-
ABILITY INTERNATIONAL DOCTORAL STUDENTS AT A SELECTIVE U.S.
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION

____________________________________

Dissertation
Presented to
The Faculty of the School of Education
The College of William & Mary in Virginia

____________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Education
____________________________________

by
Nataliya Dudnytska
July, 2017
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SUCCESSFUL HIGH-
ABILITY INTERNATIONAL DOCTORAL STUDENTS AT A SELECTIVE U.S.
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION

by

Nataliya Dudnytska
____________________________________

Approved July 2017 by

____________________________________
Tracy L. Cross, Ph.D.
Chairperson of Doctoral Committee

____________________________________
Jennifer R. Cross, Ph.D.

____________________________________
Colm O’Reilly, Ph.D.

____________________________________
Jennifer Robins, Ph.D.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Tables ix
Abstract x
Chapter 1 – Introduction 2
Background of the Study 2
Study Focus 8
Research Questions 10
Significance of the Study 12
Definition of Terms 13
Limitations and Delimitations 16
Assumptions 16
Chapter 2 – Review of Literature 18
Globalization and Internationalization of Education 19
Knowledge Economy 20
Brain Circulation: Definition and Roadblocks 21
Successful Brain Circulation 23
Mobility Overview 26
Types of Mobility 28
Mobility as Operationalized in This Study 30
Internationalization of U.S. Higher Education Institutions 31
International Student Population in the U.S. 32
International Doctoral Student Population in the U.S. 33
Factors Attracting International Students to the U.S. 35
iii
Influences of Internationalization 38
Theoretical Framework: Giftedness and Talent -Development Models 40
Giftedness and High-Ability Young Adults 41
Overview of Talent-Development Models 44
Tannenbaum’s Talent-Development Model 44
Piirto’s Pyramid Model 45
Bloom’s Model 45
Subotnik and Jarvin’s Scholarly Productivity Model 45
Talent Development Mega-Model 46
Mega-Model of Talent Development as Framework for the Study 46
Academic Talent Development Trajectory 48
Academic Talent Development Trajectory of Gifted Adults 48
The Construct of Opportunity 51
Usefulness of Results 57
Conclusions 58
Chapter 3 – Methods 61
Research Questions 61
Research Framework and Approach for the Study 62
Philosophical Assumptions for the Study 63
Social Constructivism Worldview 64
Research Approach 66
Strategy of Inquiry: IPA 67
Influences of Phenomenology, Hermeneutics, & Idiography on IPA 68
iv
Sample and Participant Selection 71
Data Sources and Collection 75
Data Analysis Plan 77
Maximization of Quality and Rigor 79
Limitations 81
Delimitations 82
Assumptions 83
Concluding Notes on Study Design 83
Chapter 4 – Findings 84
Delimitations of the Study 90
Demographic Profile of the Participants 90
Trajectories of Academic Talent Development 95
Early Interest Development 96
Finding Niche Interest 98
Taking Time Off 100
Findings for Phase 1 101
Theme One: Education As Family Value 102
Investing In Education 103
Father’s Influence 105
Gender 106
Mismatched Career Paths 107
Enhancing Factors for International Education 109
Theme Two: Fulfilling Academic Environment 111
v
Research 112
Experts in the Field 113
Unique Resources 115
Academic Culture 115
Theme Three: Three Pillars of Mobility: English Language,
Technology, and Funding 118
English Language 118
Technology 121
Funding 124
Theme Four: Non -Zero-Sum Game: Brain Circulation and
Knowledge Sharing 126
International Experiences of Peers and Alumni 127
International Experiences of Domesti c Faculty 128
International Experiences of U.S. Professors and
Scholars 128
Prior International Experiences of the Participants 129
Support for Brain Circulation from Home Governments
and Higher Education Institutions 130
Challenges of International Education 132
Distance 133
Isolation 134
Racism and Xenophobia 134
Psychosocial Characteristics 136
vi
Inquisitiveness 136
Openness to New Experiences 137
Hard Work 137
Persistence 138
Optimism and Faith 139
Findings for Phase 2 140
Role of Self in Academic Talent Development 140
Interest and Sense of Agency 141
Resilient Self-Efficacy 143
Perception of Opportunities 144
Discarded Opportunities 146
Unoffered Opportunities 149
Preparedness and Support from Environment 150
Summary 151
Chapter 5 – Discussion 155
Enhancing Academic Talent Development Experiences 156
High-ability International Doctoral Students 157
International Academic Mobility 162
Perceptions of Opportunity 170
Implications of the Study 173
Implications for Research 174
Implications for Higher Education Institutions’ Internationalization 175
Implications for Policy Makers 176
vii
Implications for International Students 177
Conclusion 178
Appendix A List of Developing Countries 182
Appendix B Researcher as an Instrument Essay 184
Appendix C Interview Protocols 192
Appendix D Demographic Survey 204
Appendix E Examples of Data Analysis 208
Appendix F Participant Demographics 214
Appendix G Trajectories of Academic Talent Development 215
Appendix H Themes and Essential Structures Frequency 220
Appendix I Informed Consent Forms 221
References 224
Vita 238

viii
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Sampling Specifications Matrix by Program and Region of Origin 74
Table 2. Participant Specifications Matrix by Program and Place of Origin 91

ix