Crossing Borders

This book explores the processes of self-understanding that take place in a group of Chinese women studying in universities in the United States. In the past few decades, there has been an increasing number of Chinese women attending U.S. universities, yet their psychological experiences within American culture have not been a focus of study by researchers in higher education. Those who crossed geographic, cultural, and psychological borders to study in the U.S. described their change as a basic psychological process called 'reweaving a fragmented self.' This book contributes to the educator's understanding of the diversity of international women's student experiences, expectations, and desires.

Crossing Borders: International Women Students in American Higher Education is a compelling example of qualitative research that illuminates a concept, transitions in the sense of self, and describes the experiences of a particular group. . . . While the voices of the interviewed women are compelling and interesting in their own right, the theoretical contribution of this book is in its argument that a critical and local interpretation of cultures and self is an important conceptual framework. . . . In addition to the theoretical contribution and illustration of meaningful cultural differences, Qin offers advice for both American hosts and Chinese students, bringing her conclusions to a practical level. For that reason, I recommend this book for people who work with international students., Qin's study of Chinese women studying in universities in the United States is incredibly timely…. Crossing Borders makes an important contribution…. Qui has provided a springboard for continued dialogue and research., By reading this book, university faculty who work with Chinese women international students will have a rare insight into these students' subjective experiences and gain a deeper understanding of their needs…. This book will likely inspire interest in further research in this area, and it is a timely contribution to the growing focus on examining the intersectionality of multiple identities.

Dongxiao Qin, Ph.D., is associate professor of psychology at Western New England College in Springfield, Massachusetts. She has been published in Feminism & Psychology, International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, Encyclopedia of Women and Gender, and Diversity and Development.