"Meeting the Challenge" - ethnic minority adults in tertiary education : the experiences of Samoan mature students at Victoria University

Abstract

Very little is known about the experiences of Pacific Nations mature students undertaking tertiary level education in New Zealand despite their steady increase in number over recent years. Yet, an awareness of how they express their concerns and their understanding of tertiary institutions environment is crucial to the teaching and learning process and to the successful completion of their programmes. This project focuses on the experiences of a group of Samoan mature students aged 25 years and over, with families (wives or husbands and children), enrolled under the 'Special Admission' criteria at Victoria University. The students discuss their motivations for undertaking tertiary studies and factors that work for and against their participation. They offer unique insights into how the processes of tertiary study have impacted on their lives and how it has influenced their perceptions of knowledge production. They also talked about their experiences with campus programmes and services in relation to their individual needs and common concerns. The data was collected through a series of interviews and is linked to previous studies and theoretical perspectives on minority adult students in higher education. The study concluded with some implications for future programme practices in the tertiary environment.