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Far From Home: A Qualitative Analysis Of Altered Social And Familial Interactions By Students Attending College Significant Distances From Home, Michael W. Firmin, Courtney B. Johnson, Stephanie Yoder Basham

Psychology Faculty Publications

This study explored the necessary modifications for students’ relationships with their home contexts (social and familial) as they acclimated to college life. We specifically targeted students living over 1,000 miles from their present school setting. Thirty undergraduate students at a private Midwest university participated in this qualitative phenomenological research study through semistructured interviews. While numerous dynamics surfaced, repeated themes included feelings of homesickness, desiring to go home, weakening of peer relationships established at home, and gradual strengthening of familial relationships.