本研究目的在探討海外華人留學生太太的生活世界,從她們的日常生活中暸解其經驗本質與旅居海外的意義,透過詮釋現象學方法論觀點,詮釋華人留學生太太的生活經驗與其對此經驗所賦予的意義。七位來自台灣及大陸的華人太太接受深度的會話式訪談,並受邀將她們家庭生活的點滴以隨筆寫作的方式記載下來,文本資料收集的來源以訪談的逐字稿為主,受訪者寫作的文稿為輔,分析的策略與步驟以主題分析法為依歸,互為主體間的同意與檢證為原則。主題分析的結果,詮釋了華人留學生太太旅居海外的生活經驗本質與意義,(l)遠離熟悉的界域;(2)遭逢陌生的時空;(3)尋找存有與歸屬感;(4)在傳統性別角色中的掙扎;(5)朝向家庭共同願景而奮鬥,以及(6)維繫天倫和樂的家人關係。異鄉華人留學生太太表露出她們在生活適應上的轉變,更展現華人婦女在傳統上追求和諧的關係本質。論文最後歸結人與所處環境互動的意涵,並從而反思研究者在詮釋現象學方法上的體驗與實踐。
This interpretive study uses hermeneutic phenomenological methodology to understand the experiences of seven Chinese women who lived with their husbands while the husbands studied abroad in the United States. Texts were collected from in-depth interviews and from interviewees' reflective writings. Thematic analysis confirmed by intersubjective agreement was conducted to analyze the texts. Six major themes emerged indicating that living in a foreign country entails (1) feeling distanced from familiar surroundings, (2) encountering unfamiliar concepts of time and space, (3) seeking a sense of being and belonging, (4) struggling with traditional gender roles, (5) working hard toward the family's common good, and (6) maintaining harmonious family relationships. Interpretations, reflections and pedagogical implications are presented with the conclusion.