Supporting Transnational Students and their Families
What does it mean to be transnational?
“Those persons who having migrated from one nation-state to another live their lives across borders, participating simultaneously in social relations that embed them in more than one nation-state” (Glick Schiller, 2003, p. 99).
Glick Schiller, N. (2003). The centrality of ethnography in the study of transnational migration: Seeing the wetland instead of the swamp. In N. Foner (Ed.), American arrivals: Anthropology engages the new immigration (pp.99–128). Santa Fe, NM: School of Advanced Research Press
“These families are in a completely new environment and adjusting to new rules and customs takes time. These families are usually underpaid and uneducated, leaving them vulnerable. Adapting to their needs is essential for student success.”
— Anonymous Survey Response - Transnational Educator
“Many of us struggle with more than the language barrier, we are figuring out living arrangements, financial situations, and a new education system. We wish our parents were involved in our education but they don’t know where to start as nothing is catered to their only spoken language.”
— Anonymous Survey Response - Transnational Student
More than 5.3 million (7%) students enrolled in Pre-K to postsecondary education were not born in the U.S.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
21% of school-age children speak a language other than English at home.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
Resources for Educators
Resources to address the needs of teachers and their students, strategies for language acquisition, and best practices for supporting the mental health of transnational students.
Resources for Parents & Families
Guidance on navigating the U.S. educational system, understanding your rights, and accessing language support services. We also provide information on community organizations, mental health resources, and advocacy tools to help families support their children's educational and emotional well-being.