Getting Around in a College Town: A Case Study of Transportation Barriers Faced by International Students at the University of Alabama

Abstract

University students' day-to-day lives largely depend on transportation. Public transit alternatives are not widely available in small-town, rural, and suburban collegiate environments in the United States (U.S.). In this study, an online survey was conducted among international students studying at The University of Alabama (UA) campus located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The objective of this research was to investigate and analyze international student travel experiences in a city with a significant college-affiliated population, as well as to highlight, in particular, some of the transportation issues in the area. The survey results show that international students face various challenges in transportation in and around the campus, finding it difficult to travel within Tuscaloosa without a personal vehicle, as other modes of transportation including walking, biking, and using public transportation are not always convenient or reliable. The study findings may be of interest to transportation experts, city planners, university administrators, and college students who want to better understand travel-related challenges experienced by international students.