Date of Graduation

Spring 5-21-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Organization and Leadership (O&L)

College/School

School of Education

Department/Program

Education

First Advisor

Seenae Chong

Second Advisor

Danfeng Koon

Abstract

Of prior research on student experiences with financial strain, little has specifically focused on international student experiences in higher education while studying in the U.S., in tandem with financial strain. This qualitative study, through utilization of narrative methodology, explores the ways in which international students–in particular, graduate students–experience and navigate financial strain during their studies at a large, R1: Doctoral university: the University of California, Berkeley. The research was guided by three questions: (a) What are UC Berkeley international students’ stories of navigating financial strain? (b) What are the experiences of UC Berkeley international students with external and internal (campus) systems and resources, in relation to mitigating the effects of financial strain? (c) How do university resources influence UC Berkeley international students’ ability to progress through the levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven graduate students, who identified as international students and had experienced financial strain during their studies at UC Berkeley. The narratives shared by the study participants revealed the ways in which financial strain and resources available to the participants impacted their ability to meet their needs and fully developing as students. From the study, five key findings arose, that included: (a) discovering the participants' feelings before arrival to the U.S. and UC Berkeley; (b) understanding the impacts of financial strain as they navigated their studies; (c) learning about the barriers they encountered to having their needs met; (d) how resources were communicated to them, and (e) exploring the impacts of resources as they navigated financial strain.

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