scholarly journals International Students’ Unique Challenges – Why Understanding International Transitions to Higher Education Matters

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sidonie Ecochard ◽  
Julia Fotheringham
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Acculturative Stress ◽  
International Student ◽  
Culture Shock ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Dropping Out ◽  
Disciplinary Culture ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Number Of Publications

International students represent a large and increasing share of the diversity encountered on British campuses, with 19% of the student body coming from another country to study in the United Kingdom. While the concept of transition in the context of Higher Education (HE) is better understood as a process of change and adaptation to the HE culture, international transitions –undertaken by international students – present additional and specific challenges. These involve multiple additional cultural adjustments, to the host nation culture, the international student culture and the subject disciplinary culture. The scale and number of these challenges may lead to mental health issues and to students dropping out. The growing number of international students and their importance as a significant economic driver to the HE sector have been reflected in the literature, with an increasing number of publications on the topic. Various models have been elaborated to describe the process of academic and socio-cultural adjustment experienced by international students, along with concepts of acculturative stress and culture shock used to refer to the sometimes extreme emotional turmoil created by such cultural dissonances. University staff and students have different but key roles and responsibilities in supporting and facilitating international students’ adjustment, improving retention and enabling international students to reach their academic and personal goals in spite of the challenges that confront them. This literature review presents the different stage-models of international students’ acculturation and defines key concepts for international transitions such as acculturative stress and culture shock, thereby allowing for a better understanding of the international students’ academic and social journey. It describes the challenges international students meet in their transition to UK HE institutions and introduces literature identifying ways of better supporting the specific needs of those students. It concludes with a discussion on the limitations of the current international transitions discourse.

scholarly journals International students in Hungarian higher education

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 113-132
Author(s):  
Szilvia Vincze ◽  
Zoltán Bács
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
The Body ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Student Body ◽  
The Past ◽  
Processing Data ◽  
Detailed Assessment ◽  
Jel Code

Overall, higher education in Hungary is popular with students from abroad, even if there are significant differences in terms of its structure. The ever-faster increase in the annual headcount of the international student body serves as proof to this statement. The expansion of the size of the body of international students is of special importance in higher education since in 2016 the Hungarian government set the objective of having 40,000 international students by 2023 (EMMI, 2016). Numerous studies have been published on this topic, usually focusing on specific issues, including, for example, the countries from which we receive most of the students, the most popular majors, possible economic advantages due to the presence of a great number of international students, and how internationalization takes place in higher education in Hungary.   By means of processing data published by the Hungarian Educational Authority [Oktatási Hivatal], this paper aims to present the changes in the number of international students in Hungary over the past ten years. This also includes the discussion of the structure of these changes related to a variety of issues such as relations, types of institutions and their ownership, levels and types of programs, as well as gender proportions. However, even with this effort, the officially available statistics are suitable for presenting a properly detailed assessment of the situation only to a limited extent. JEL code: I23

scholarly journals Troubling Metaphors and International Student Adjustment: Reflections from a Transnational Place

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1126-1134
Author(s):  
David Starr-Glass
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Student Affairs ◽  
International Student ◽  
Student Adjustment ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Perceived Needs

On many campuses, offices of International Student Affairs address the perceived needs of international students. However, a number of underlying assumptions and persistent metaphors shape these efforts and influence their outcomes. All students are uniquely different and face equally different challenges in adjusting to higher education. Labeling students “international” may make institutional sense, but it can potentially hinder their transition, adjustment, and ultimate success. Applying restrictive labels can perpetuate stereotypes, reinforce institutional silos, and potentially fracture international students from the rest of the student body. This article reflects on how students—irrespective of national origins—are viewed and assisted in a transnational setting that includes more than 70% of students who might, in other contexts, be classified as “international.”

scholarly journals Effect of Support from Lecturers and Host Country Nationals on Cross-Cultural Adjustment among International Students: Evidence from a Malaysian University

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hak Liong Chan ◽  
Abdul Rahman Yaakob ◽  
Saizal Pinjaman
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
International Student ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Three Dimensions

Pursuing higher education abroad is a golden opportunity for any student’s personal development; however, international students’ cross-cultural adjustment (CCA) can be onerous in a foreign country. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the roles of perceived lecturer support and host country national (HCN) support in international students’ CCA in three dimensions, i.e. general, academic, and interaction. Adopting the purposive sampling technique, survey data was collected from a sample of 124 first-year international students in a Malaysian university. The results of the partial least squares structural equation modelling analysis showed that both perceived lecturer support and HCN support are influential in international students’ general, academic, and interaction adjustment. These findings suggest that higher education institutions should amplify the role of lecturers and HCNs to help international students adjust to the various cultural aspects in Malaysia. This study contributes to the literature by applying the anxiety and uncertainty management theory to validate the influence of support on CCA in the international student context.

scholarly journals Difference in Cultural Adjustment of Domestic and International Student Sojourners in Higher Education Institutions

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maliha Nasir ◽  
Fazal Ur Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
International Students ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
International Student ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Academic Programs ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Education Students ◽  
The Difference

In reputed institutions of higher education students come from all over the country for gaining rich experience of learning. Not only Pakistani students from various regions enter in these institutions but also international students get admission in various academic programs. These students encounter various problems related to adjustment in a new environment. Their reaction to these problems and ability to adjust may affect their academic performance. The study mainly aimed at exploring the differences in the ability of domestic sojourners and international students to adjust in a new environment. The sample consisted of 347 students out of which 237 were Pakistani sojourners and 110 were international students. The instrument used for data collection includes Cultural Adjustment Scale which consisted of 22 items. The results revealed that ability to adjust in a new culture positively correlates with academic performance of both local and foreign sojourners. However, the difference between cultural adjustment scores of the two groups was not statistically significant. It is recommended that the institutions should provide sojourner students necessary support so that they would be able successfully complete their academic endeavor.

What Do International Students Need?

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 571-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dae Seok Chai ◽  
Huyen Thi Minh Van ◽  
Chih-Wei Wang ◽  
Jin Lee ◽  
Jia Wang
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Organizational Citizenship Behavior ◽  
International Student ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Citizenship Behavior ◽  
Data Driven Decisions

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between perceived family support and community support and the organizational citizenship behavior of international students in U.S. higher education institutions. It also examined the mediating effects of cross-cultural adjustment and engagement on the relationships. Data were collected from 1,436 international students in one university located in the southwestern United States. Building on previous studies that have used a top-down managerial approach, this study used a noninstitutional/person-based approach to validate two guiding theories (spillover theory and job demands–resources model) and related former empirical studies. The results help stakeholders visualize a holistic picture of the international student experience. Such knowledge enables higher education institutions to make data-driven decisions about how to strategically prioritize resources to assist international students.

scholarly journals Vietnamese Graduate International Student Repatriates: Reverse Adjustment

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 449-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anh T. Le ◽  
Barbara Y. LaCost
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Culture Shock ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
The U.S

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of Vietnamese international students who have returned to Vietnam after graduation from a U.S. higher education institution. The findings suggest that participants found it harder to readjust to Vietnam than to adjust to the U.S. even though they had lived most of their lives in Vietnam. Time in the U.S. had changed them considerably, making it difficult for them to fit back into their old lives in Vietnam. Most of them did not expect to experience reserve culture shock, and most had made real efforts to fit back into the Vietnamese environment and culture.

Picture This: A Photovoice Study Of International Students’ Food Experience in Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Amos ◽  
Daphne Lordly
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
International Student ◽  
Culture Shock ◽  
Traditional Foods ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Canadian Universities ◽  
Food Experience ◽  
International University

Purpose: International student enrolment in Canadian universities is increasing. As international university students acculturate, they experience a culture shock in which food plays a major role. International university students’ Canadian food experiences therefore were explored. Methods: A Photovoice methodology was used with 15 international undergraduate and graduate university students, who were recruited to take pictures of their food experiences. They also participated in two focus group discussions that included an analysis of their photos. Results: Seven themes related to the significance of food in acculturation were revealed: the paradox of Canadian convenience, the equation of traditional foods with health, traditional food quality and accessibility, support networks, food consumption for comfort, ethnic restaurants, and the exploration of non-traditional foods. Maintaining cultural identity with traditional foods was an overarching theme related to acculturation. Conclusions: International students acculturating to Canada have emotional and physical needs, which can be met through food. Opportunities exist to improve their acculturation experiences. Canadian universities can incorporate food acculturation strategies into campus events and menus. Nutrition professionals on campus can facilitate a positive food environment and nurture culture identity formation.

scholarly journals International Student Mobility

2018 ◽  
pp. 15-30
Author(s):  
Rashim Wadhwa
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Internationalization Of Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Core Element ◽  
International Student Mobility ◽  
The Core

International student mobility is the core element of the internationalization of higher education. In recent years, a significant change has been observed in the outlook of individuals which is giving a boost to this phenomenon. Within this context, the present chapter analyzed the phenomenon of international student mobility through different approaches by providing critical outlook. An attempt has been made to list the important determinants which influence the decision-making process of international students.

scholarly journals The Portrayal of Pakistani Diaspora Students in Shamsies Fiction

2019 ◽  
Vol IV (II) ◽  
pp. 83-88
Author(s):  
Rubina Kamran ◽  
Asma Zahoor
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
Research Method ◽  
International Student ◽  
Textual Analysis ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Strong Bond ◽  
American Counterpart

Going to the advanced countries for higher education has been in vogue for long. There is a considerable rise in the number of international students in USA universities. This paper explores how Shamsie portrays interaction among international students. It is delimited to the analysis of Shamsies two novels: Salt and Saffron, and Kartoghraphy applying textual analysis as a research method. The insight gained through this research about friendship among international students is in keeping with the findings of the psychological research about three predictable patterns of friendship: friendship with the students of ones own country, friendship with other foreign students and friendship with students of the host country. In Kartoghraphy all three patterns of friendship are found while in Salt and Saffron only a strong bond of friendship between a Pakistani international student and her American counterpart is portrayed. Shamsie presents easy assimilation of Pakistani diaspora students.

scholarly journals International Student Transitions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Sharif Uddin
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
United States ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The U.S

Andrade and James Hartshorn (2019) surrounds the transition that international students encounter when they attend universities in developed countries in pursuit of higher education. Andrade and James Hartshorn (2019) describe how some countries like Australia and the United Kingdom host more international students than the United States (U.S.) and provides some guidelines for the U.S. higher education institutions to follow to host more international students. This book contains seven chapters.

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