CIW face language barriers, financial difficulties, and cultural differences that make it challenging to enroll and succeed in Northeastern United States (NEUS) higher education institutions
CIW frequently encounter discrimination and marginalization within academic spaces, facing biases and microaggressions
Despite obstacles, many CIW exhibit remarkable resilience, persevering through their studies and achieving academic success
Strong support networks, both within the Caribbean diaspora and through campus organizations, play a crucial role in helping CIW navigate NEUS higher education
The intersection of race, gender, and immigration status have not been adequately addressed in existing studies. For example, Jones et al. discuss mental health stigma faced by CIW, but do not mention how these stigmas relate to educational attainment and experiences (Jones et al., 2020).
The literature indicates that cultural expectations and familial responsibilities of CIW impact educational attainment and persistence (Taylor & Richards, 2019). However, there is a lack of qualitative research that captures the voices and experiences of CIW, particularly in relation to how cultural norms influence their educational choices and outcomes.
Esnard’s work focuses on the experiences of CIW in US HE institutions and the need for immigrant specific career programs (Esnard, 2019). However, the representation of CIW in HE remains under-researched.
Community support services for CIW’s achievement is under-researched. Some research emphasizes the importance of social health networks, and less is known about the impact on educational success (Nguyen et al., 2016).
Qualitative, autoethnographic research with narrative inquiry
Interview(s) ~ 5-10 participants
Focus Group ~ 5-10 participants
Use purposive and snowball sampling strategies, recruit via community networks, university organizations, social media, with consent, record interviews/focus group
Use (with consent) transcription software (Otter.ai) for accuracy, manually review transcripts to ensure fidelity to participant narratives, assign identifiers to participants and their data for confidentiality, organize data files in separate folders, use password protected storage, backup files
Re-read transcripts to understand narratives, note initial impressions, patterns, statements
Sort data into sections by recurring phrases/sentences, synthesize core themes related to research questions, cross-reference with theoretical framework to interpret findings
Member checking – share themes/interpretations with participants to confirm accuracy Consult with peers, mentors, committee members for feedback on coding/interpretation
Write findings by theme, include participant quotes in narrative, illustrate how themes connect to research questions/ theoretical framework, highlight outliers to reflect diversity, use visuals for clarity
Write in journal to document positionality, analysis, interpretation, review transcripts, codes, themes for consistency
Advocacy and Empowerment
Campus Challenges
Cultural Expectations
Discrimination, Microaggressions, Racism
Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms
Representation and Tokenism
Resilience and Agency
PHADRIAN AVENUE Collective | 2025