This chapter explores how LGBTQIA international students studying in the United States engage with the campus community and their experiences based on the identities they hold. While the transition to postsecondary education can be challenging for any international student, the intersecting identity of also identifying as a member of the LGBTQIA community increases the challenges faced by international students. LGBTQIA international students must navigate a new university campus environment while also taking into account the identities they hold. The findings indicate that LGBTQIA international students tend to experience a concern for their safety and feelings of isolation. The results of this study provide insights into the ways in which postsecondary institutions can better support LGBTQIA international students.
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The number of international students seeking postsecondary education within the United States has increased over the years (IIE, 2020; Matic & Russell, 2020). During the 2018-2019 academic year, there were 1,095,299 enrolled international students in the United States (Statista, 2023; Herridge et al., 2023b). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of enrolled international students in the United States dropped to 914,095 (Statista, 2023; Herridge et al., 2023b). As indicated by the most recent data from The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the number of international students studying in the United States has begun increasing (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2023). SEVP maintains records for active F-1 and M-1 students. There were 1,362,157 international students studying in the United States in 2022, an increase of 10.1% from 2021. All four regions in the United States saw an increase in the number of international students from 2021 to 2022. However, California continued to host more international students than any other state. Additionally, the majority of international students studying in the United States were from China and India (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2023).
When it comes to reasons international students choose to study in the United States, Nicholls (2018) explained that some of the most influential reasons were expected quality of education, reputation/ranking of the university and individual departments/programs, safety/security, and cost/affordability. The transition from secondary school to postsecondary school can create challenges and stressors for various students (Lau et al., 2019). This is even more true for international students who have to leave their home country in order to attend a postsecondary institution in another country in a different region of the world. While the transition can be challenging for any international student, the intersection of also identifying as LGBTQIA increases the challenges faced (Herridge et al., 2019; Herridge et al., 2023a; Herridge et al., forthcoming; Lértora et al., 2021).