“They’re Badass. You Defy the Odds”: First Generation Students with Immigrant Parents Communicate About College Experiences

Using qualitative research methods with a phenomenological approach, this study aimed to learn how first generation college students with immigrant parents communicate about their college experiences. The duality of researching first generation college students with immigrant parents, rather than solely researching students who identify as first generation, lends itself to the revelation of new, unheard, and often overlooked experiences. Data was collected through six in-depth, one-on-one interviews with participants, each lasting between thirty minutes to an hour. Five of the six participants were current college students, and one participant was a recent graduate. Each participant stated their parents’ place of origin, with places ranging from the Philippines, Russia, Mexico, and Taiwan, to name a few. Three common themes emerged from the data. Participants discussed the importance of mentorship and guidance throughout college, as well as various challenges and obligations they face, and explained how their parents’ immigration influences their identities and experiences as a first generation student.