| The experience of being a Latina/o student at a predominantly White university was investigated through 12 interviews. The research participants included first-generation Mexican-Americans, a third-generation Mexican-American, and a first-generation Chilean, all currently enrolled at predominantly White universities in the Midwest or California. Transcendental Phenomenology was the qualitative method used. Students described a contextual continuum in which they were first aware of their families and teachers pushing them towards college. Once arriving at college, students became self-conscious and felt highly visible regarding their ethnicity. Students seemed to then seek out relationships with individuals from similar backgrounds and reported internalized attitudes of “I have to do this.” The final significant theme represented a motivational factor, in which students chose to persist academically in order to give back to their families, communities, and society at large. The research revealed and discussed social, psychological, and academic implications and applications. |
