Background

Latin Americans Continue to Fight for Equality After Admissions

Not only do Latino/a/x students have issues getting into college, but after they are accepted, they face problems with educational barriers and barriers amongst their peers. These issues often cause Latino/a/x students to drop out before they complete their degree.

Information on this page was gathered from several sources. One source interviewed students about their barriers they face in universities, particularly predominantly white institutions (PWI's). Miami University is a great example of a PWI.

The second source discussed differences in barrier perceptions of college enrollment and completion, specifically in Latino/a students in the United States.

The Barriers:

Language

The language barrier is a big issue in Latino/a/x students starting out. For many, English is their second language. Students face issues with writing papers to a high scholarly degree because they have not known English their entire life, unlike students that have English as their first language. For students who are expected to speak "good" English but cannot, they are constantly reminded of their outsider status.

Lack of Education

Lack of education and economic status are directly related. The affluent have the most resources to a great education. However, many of Latino/a/x students don't have access to these resources due to their economic status. Since they don't have these resources, they often don't learn at the same pace as other students. When they do enter an institution for higher education they feel as though they did not have the same opportunities as their peers and feel a lack of belonging and as if they are not good enough. They feel as if their peers have the upper hand and are superior.

Culture Shock

Many students face culture shock when they transition into their university, especially in predominantly white institutions. They have a hard time staying in touch with their culture because of the lack of inclusion. PWI's, like Miami, can be seen as not doing enough to include Latinx students or help their transition from home be more comforting. The language barrier also comes into play with causing culture shock. They are quickly acquainted with the English language and the different culture can be intimidating to incoming Hispanic students.

Classism

Socioeconomic status is a major issue amongst the Latino community. Not only in the community but especially in PWI's. Students are always reminded of their status whether it be because of the language barrier, the lack of pre-college education, the racism, and the culture shock they face. Even if a Hispanic student comes from a wealthy family, they often face the assumptions of being from a low economic class.

Racism

Racism is something people often face on a day-to-day basis, in school and in a community as well. While in school students feel as though they are being judged on race rather than academic skills and qualifications. This is another factor that takes a toll on students, even those that are not Hispanic. It is another way in which students feel inferior to their "white" peers and they also feel out of place. The attitude of "white people should only receive higher education" comes into play and affects nonwhite student views.

Social Capital

An issue that many Latino/a/x students struggle with is their social capital that they possess when they are at school. Social capital is essentially the connections students have with other people that share a common background with them. Having social capital can be used to get involved in the university and it can also be a good way to find a job post college education. The issue with this is that students coming from other countries do not have the social capital that other students may come in with.

Cultural Capital

Like Social Capital, students must also have cultural capital as well. Cultural capital is the knowledge of the culture that you are immersing yourself into, having a cultural background to benefit when there. Students coming from different countries do not always know American culture. Like, Halloween, tipping, holding doors open for one another, turning right at red lights, and etc. Students going to school in the US often do not have knowledge about these little things and struggle to become accustomed to the culture.

Solutions to these barriers:

As far as the language barrier goes, take advantage of adult education programs that are for Spanish-speakers wanting to learn English
Get educated American culture to learn the ways of everyday Americans

Seek out others that share common interests with them
Join organizations and clubs to grow social capital for future help also
Find a professor that you connect with and visit their office hours to have a familiar face