Being a First-Generation Migrant Family Student in Finland: Perceptions and experiences of the Educational Journey to Higher Education

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the situation of first-generation migrant family students (FGMFSs) in higher education in Finland and determined how FGMFSs experience and perceive their educational journey to achieve higher education. The study focused on the factors that support students to be successful in their education. Fifteen first generation students in higher education who belong to migrant families in Finland were surveyed utilizing semi-structured in-depth interviews. In this qualitative study, grounded theory (GT) was used to identify emerging latent patterns from data. Three main categories family values, institutional values, and interpersonal relationships were identified to support students to be successful in their education and enter higher education. The results of this study can help educational institutions, educators, and policy makers understand what factors are important in improving educational success for migrant students.

Parents’ Experiences with Remote Education during COVID-19 School Closures

“…Even though different terminologies have been used in the field, for the purposes of this research the terms remote education and remote learning are synonymous with online, virtual, and eeducation and e-learning Parental involvement is an important factor for student achievement in traditional school settings. Parent support has demonstrated significant contributions to the success of learners in a virtual learning environment (Borup et al, 2014;Feng & Cavanaugh, 2011;Lee & Figueroa, 2012;Makrooni, 2019;Woofter, 2019). However, parents must take on new and unfamiliar roles and responsibilities as their children participate in online education while experiencing increasing instructional responsibility for their child's learning (Liu et al, 2010).…”

Distance education in COVID-19 pandemic: An evaluation of parent’s, child’s and teacher’s competences

“…Besides, parental support has a higher impact on students’ learning outcomes (Desforges & Abouchaar, 2003 ; Goldman, 2005 ) and as well this support is a significant issue in their children’s success in virtual learning environment (Makrooni, 2019 ; Woofter, 2019 ). On the other hand, parents had problems about their roles in their children’s online learning (Murphy & Rodríguez Manzanares, 2009 ).…”

From Challenge to Empowerment: Cross-Cultural Experiences and Perceptions of First-Generation Migrant Family Students

“…However, there is a lack of knowledge about how FGMFS experience and perceive their educational journey (school and university), and how they are developing their cross-cultural capacity, and how they find their new position and become successful. Makrooni (2019) found three main categories-family values, institutional values, and friendship-which provided insightful answers of what FGMFS perceived, experienced, and made them successful during their educational journey to higher education in Finland.…”

“…However, few researchers have focused on the skills, challenges, and experiences of First-Generation Migrant Family Students (FGMFS) on their educational path to and within higher education. For example, according to Makrooni (2019), FGMFS agree that they are taught with equality in Finland; however, there is an indication that FGMFS and their teachers perceive equality differently when it comes to understanding the actual ability of these students to continue their studies in high school or vocational school. Nevertheless, little knowledge about these pupils, their capacities, skills, and challenges is available to educators and staff in the Finnish educational system, especially what makes them successful in the cross-cultural context that they experience.…”