Experience of the Korean Immigrant Population in the US:
A Phenomenological Approach

Bae, Jeongyee

doi:2009.18.4.449

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J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs > Volume 18(4); 2009 > Article

Original Article

Journal of Korean Academy of psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 2009;18(4):449-462.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2009.18.4.449 Published online December 31, 2009.

Experience of the Korean Immigrant Population in the US: A Phenomenological Approach

Jeongyee Bae

Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Inje University

미국 이민 한국인의 경험 연구

배정이

인제대학교 간호학과 부교수

Correspondence: Jeongyee Bae, Tel: 82-51-890-6823, Fax: 82-51-896-9840,
Email: jibai@inje.ac.kr

Received: 7 October 2009 • Revised: 9 December 2009 • Accepted: 10 December 2009

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of Korean immigrants in the US.
Methods
The participants were 11 immigrants who live in Seattle and New York. Data were collected through in-depth, unstructured audio-taped interviews by the investigator over a two-month period. The participants were asked to describe their immigration experience. The data was analyzed according to Colaizzi's method for phenomenological analysis.
Results
The interview data was organized by themes into 7 categories that emerged from the analysis. Participants faced various experiences living as immigrants in the US. The categories were motivation to migrate, switching over to the new life, suffering, lack of support, efforts of adaptation, homesickness and regret, and adaptation.
Conclusion
As immigrants embrace a new life in another country, they also face harsh complexities of coping with a new community, culture, and lifestyle. Due to major differences between eastern and western culture, immigrants are in great need of understanding and support. This study contributes a better understanding of Korean immigrants and knowledge gained from this study will help in developing culturally appropriate immigrant support programs to improve their everyday living conditions and further enrich their quality of life.

Key Words: Immigration; Korean Americans; Life experiences; Qualitative research

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