A Few Final Words and Future Directions

This book is part of a series on learning environments, and as such shares the lived experiences of recent graduates of TESOL doctoral programs from various U.S. institutions. With a clear focus on the notion of identity and following the principles of narrative inquiry, the chapters include personal stories and critical reflections around a specific topic immediately relevant to success and persistence in a doctoral program. While the chapters highlight the individual experience, they collectively advance our knowledge of TESOL doctoral programs as learning environments. Since the experiences narrated and analyzed in each chapter are contextualized, these chapters address, directly or indirectly, many different dimensions of TESOL doctoral programs as learning environments, such as mentorship, program structure, financial support, and so on.