Date of Award
5-2005
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
College/School
College of Education and Human Services
Department/Program
Nutrition and Food Studies
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Kathleen Bauer
Committee Member
Doreen Liou
Committee Member
Charles Feldman
Abstract
The aim of this study is to explore international students’ perceptions of food service at Montclair State University. Twelve international students were recruited to participate in this quick ethnography. Seven of the twelve participants were males and five were females. Students came from a variety of ethnic backgrounds including Asian/Pacific Islander, African, Hispanic and White, non-Hispanic. Inclusion criteria were that the students must be considered international students by the university and must be able to effectively communicate in English. The students completed a fourteen-question survey questionnaire which asked about demographic data as well as questions about attitudes and beliefs about the role of food in their culture and their satisfaction with the university food service. The students then participated in a one-on-one semi-structured interview with a graduate student researcher. Interview topics included feelings when consuming traditional versus “American” foods, the role of food in their culture and their satisfaction with the university food service. Results showed that food played an integral part in the students’ ethnic identity and that the students were not happy with the current food service. Areas for improvement included the provision of a variety of ethnic foods, increased training for food service staff, expansion of cafeteria hours and a reduction in the price of foods offered.
File Format
Recommended Citation
Schubert, Rebecca Ann, "International Students’ Perceptions of Food Service at a New Jersey State University" (2005). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 1261.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/1261