THE IMPACT OF SCHOLARSHIP STATUS ON THE EXPERIENCES OF INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE U.S.

Abstract

Each year, different countries around the world spend millions of dollars to sponsor thousands of international students to enroll in graduate programs in the United States. However, little is known as to whether, how, and under what conditions their scholarship status may influence their overall experiences. Drawing on a survey completed by international graduate students (N=107), the effect of government-sponsored scholarship programs on international graduate students’ overall experiences is discussed. The findings of this study revealed that government-sponsored scholarship students were less competent in their level of perceived English proficiency and face more challenges in their studies compared to non-scholarship students. This study informs both practitioners in international student services offices of U.S. universities and Turkey’s Ministry of National Education scholarship program to be better equipped with the knowledge of whether/how scholarship status can impact international graduate students’ overall experiences