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Doctoral Dissertation Defense
of
Györgyi Mihályi

For the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy
Higher Education Administration

When Everything Clicks: Exploring Belonging for International Women in Undergraduate Programs

March 28, 2025
2:30–4:30 P.M.
200 White Hall

When Everything Clicks: Exploring Belonging for International Women in Undergraduate Programs

The purpose of this exploratory interpretive qualitative study was to understand how international women enrolled in undergraduate non-STEM programs at a large public research university in the American Midwest define belonging and how belonging shapes their higher education experience while studying in the United States. The study focused on students’ experiences, using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions. Eight students shared their thoughts and reflections on their sense of belonging while studying in the United States. 

I developed a conceptual framework using Strayhorn’s (2019) and Nunn’s (2021) definition of belonging, which included academic, social, and campus-community belonging. Additionally, I incorporated Glass’s (2021) concept of hard belonging, which I reframed as political belonging to encompass visa, immigration, and policy-related challenges. Lastly, I integrated Donald’s (2022) concept of environmental belonging, which considered place attachment from a spatial perspective. This framework guided the study, shaping both the interview structure and areas of inquiry. 

The key findings revealed that belonging for international women in undergraduate programs was shaped by interpersonal relationships, institutional support, and evolving perceptions of home. Supportive friendships, faculty engagement, and cultural connections fostered inclusion, while restrictive policies, financial barriers, and limited engagement opportunities often hindered their sense of belonging, making it a dynamic and multidimensional experience.