Vulnerability of Female International Students in the U.S.

This paper explores the experiences of female international students studying in semi-rural U.S., where the population is highly homogeneous. Silmuntaniously, American students were interviewed through online focus groups regadrding their perceptions of foreigners in the U.S. The focus is on the challenges they are confronted with, and the way their cultural identity and gender affects their study abroad experiences. Through qualitative methodology, the inquiry is made through interviews, surveys, and observations gather from May 2015 to May 2017. This period covers pre and post Trump era, and tracks the changes in Americans perceptions of foreigners. The prelimenary results bring to light the severity of sexual harassment, discrimination and the vulnerability of this group. Furthermore, the complete inadequecy of universities to provide a safe learning environment for vulnurable female international students is brought to light by the testimonies of the students.