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Experiences of Asian psychologists and counselors trained in the USA: an exploratory study

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Abstract

This study qualitatively explored the pre-departure to reentry experiences of Asian international psychologists and counselors trained in the USA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants from four different Asian countries. Inductive analysis with Consensual Qualitative Research methods was used to analyze the interview data. Three domains and 25 themes emerged from the analysis of the data, representing participants’ key domains as motivation to study in the USA, various sojourn experiences, and multiple reentry challenges. Findings are discussed in terms of training applications for Asian counseling students as well as the cross-national application of US counseling training. Recommendations for educators, supervisors, and prospective international students are suggested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, USA

    Michael Goh

  2. Department of Psychology, Sogang University, D336, 35 Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 121-742, South Korea

    Kyu Jin Yon

  3. Graduate School of Law, Hitotsubashi University, Kunitachi, Tokyo, Japan

    Yukiko Shimmi

  4. Education Development and Learning Support Center, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu, Japan

    Tatsuya Hirai

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  1. Michael Goh
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  2. Kyu Jin Yon
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  3. Yukiko Shimmi
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  4. Tatsuya Hirai
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Correspondence to Kyu Jin Yon.

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Michael Goh and Kyu Jin Yon contributed equally to this article.

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Goh, M., Yon, K.J., Shimmi, Y. et al. Experiences of Asian psychologists and counselors trained in the USA: an exploratory study. Asia Pacific Educ. Rev. 15, 593–608 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-014-9347-4

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