Dissertation Proposal Announcement Ph.D. Program: Shaneika Nelson, “The Afro-Caribbean Student Perspective: Understanding the Transition Experiences of Jamaican International Students Studying at an HBCU in the United States”

The Caribbean is often considered the ultimate destination for those seeking to escape daily life. Yet, Caribbean islanders also seek breaks from their routines and frequently travel to other small islands or leave the Caribbean for the United States in search of better opportunities. Among these individuals are those seeking higher education. While the United States is a popular destination for students who leave their homeland to enroll in educational institutions with diverse curriculums (Foner, 2001, p. 4), there is limited literature on the experiences of Caribbean students in higher education in the U.S. This dissertation research aims to address this gap by investigating the experiences of Afro-Caribbean students in American higher education, focusing on their unique opportunities, challenges, and perspectives.

Specifically, this study will explore the experiences of Jamaican international Caribbean students attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Although these Caribbean students may share similarities with African Americans and other Black students in the U.S., this research emphasizes that their distinct ethnic and cultural backgrounds set them apart from the broader “Black” population. A qualitative, phenomenological case study approach was used to understand the lived experiences of these students. For the pilot study, four (4) students from the West Indian Student Organization (WISO) at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick Campus who identified as Afro-Caribbean or Jamaican or were first-generation college students with ties to the Caribbean participated in one-on-one interviews.

The study examined the students’ experiences by allowing them to share their stories, which helped identify emerging themes for further investigation. These themes were used as a blueprint to examine the experiences of the thirteen (13) students who participated in the small group interviews and a focus group that guided this study. The findings indicate that while eager to pursue education in the U.S., these students become increasingly aware of their ethnic and cultural differences. Based on the findings, it is recommended that HBCUs develop tailored onboarding processes, programs, and support services to meet the needs of international Black students, ensuring their engagement and integration into the diverse community of a heterogeneously Black college or university.