Exploring the Transformational Learning Experiences of Bahamian Students Studying in the United States

Within recent years, there has been a trend of students (traditional and nontraditional) travelling abroad, more particularly to the United States, with the view of pursuing higher education at both the graduate and undergraduate level. Among the most popular influential factors to obtain higher education internationally are government and private scholarships, international exposure and experience, professional development, and a quality of education that could not have been obtained locally. Despite the accelerant that ignited the desire for travel, most students are not prepared for the vast social and cultural difference in the educational system. However international students are resilient, adapt and are successful and often result in them transforming as individuals. This qualitative study examined the effects of U.S. based education on Bahamian students, from the perspective of transformational learning theory. Emphasis was placed on the extent to which these students' international learning experiences transformed them into scholars of positive social change within their respective fields of study. Data were collected utilizing semi structured interviews of 10 Bahamian students. All of the participants were born in The Bahamas, but traveled to the United States to pursue higher education as a nontraditional adult learner. The study results provide a foundational platform for current and future Bahamian adult learners pursuing higher education in the United States. [For the full proceedings, see ED581791.]