International students study in developed countries because “they feel they can get a better education abroad which will differentiate them from their peers upon returning home”. This chapter expands the understanding on queer international students enrolled at predominantly White institutions in the United States by examining how they experience culture shock. A handful of researchers have expanded upon the culture shock model, applying the theory to individuals such as tourists and students traveling abroad. The chapter employs the concept of culture shock as conceptual framework. It uses culture shock as a guiding framework, expanding upon the experiences of international students with multiple marginalized identities. The chapter uses a case study approach in the hopes of extrapolating detailed results that will improve higher education professionals’ knowledge on queer international students. Higher education administrators must continue to think about how they support international students both socially and academically, including those collegians with more than one marginalized identity.
