Being a Refugee Student in Higher Education: Exploring the Challenges and Coping Strategies, A Case Study of Mekelle University, Ethiopia
Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Globally, refugees are one of the most marginalized groups of society.They are forced to flee their country of origin because of violence, war and persecution.Higher education for refugees can play vital role in facilitating their integration into host countries.In reintegration stage, higher education for refugees can help refugees to be active in rebuilding their home country.This study examines the challenges encountered by refugees in their learning experience at Mekelle University.The experiences linked with learning were analyzed using two theories; socio-cultural theory of learning and coping strategies.In order to address the specific research question the study employed a qualitative research approach.This research is a case study and hence, in-depth interview, key-informant interview and document analyses were employed to collect data.In order to explore the background of refugee students the study examined their journey from refugee camp to higher education institutions.The study highlights that limited access to higher education, absence of documentation and lack of information as entry barriers to higher education.Refugee student at Mekelle University encountered a number of challenges in their learning experience.The challenges can be summarized as language, cultural, academic, and financial challenges.Refugee's learning experience reveals that language as the main challenge.Language intertwined with cultural challenge, discrimination and isolation were examined as challenges for refugees.Unfamiliarity with pedagogical related activities also identified as one of the challenges.The study also explored the financial challenges encountered by refugees.These challenges were examined from socio-cultural theory of learning.The research also examines how refugee students overcome the mentioned challenges.And the mechanisms were examined in light of coping theories.To overcome the challenges refugee students employed both problem-focused and emotion-based coping mechanism.iv v Acknowledgment Pursuing Master of Philosophy in Education has become a reality with help of different institutions and individuals that deserve to be acknowledged.First my gratefulness goes on to Norwegian tax payers; my engagement in the program wouldn't have been possible without the support of Norwegian people through the Quota Scheme fellowship program.I'm also thankful for the department of Higher Education for the support rendered to me in accomplishing my study.My deepest gratitude goes to Prof. Peter Maassen for guiding my research and giving me valuable comments and suggestions throughout the study process.I am very grateful for your professional, insightful and constructive advice throughout my research work; I owe the achievement of this research project to your support.I am also thankful for refugee students who let us know their experience in higher education institutions
Author: Yonas Gebreiyosus
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2976525675