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 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 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 Cross-Cultural Factors That Influence Adjustment Process of International Students in Malaysian Public Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 17-25
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Adjustment Process ◽  
Research Survey

International students’ enrolment in higher education in Malaysia has expanded widely in scope, volume, and complexity, giving rise to a myriad of challenges and difficulties in their adjustment process, which have to be understood and addressed. In this study, the cross-cultural factors that influence psychological, sociocultural, and self-realization adjustments amongst international students studying in Malaysian public universities were examined. The purpose of this research was to gauge a better understanding of the difficulties and challenges encountered by them when pursuing higher education opportunities in Malaysian public universities, and how they had managed to overcome the necessary adjustments. A research survey based on 31item questionnaires was formulated. Stratified random sampling methodology was adopted in the distribution of 250 questionnaires, with a total of 218 responses received. Data were coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences’ software. The variables, socio-cultural adjustment, and self-realization adjustment showed negative correlations towards their adjustment process. The outcomes should enable university faculties and staff to recognize foreign students’ needs, and effectively offer supportive campus resources and services to assist them in their adjustment process.

scholarly journals “I finally marginalized myself from the mainstream”: An Autoethnography Study of Chinese International Student’s Development of Intercultural Communicative Competence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqi Lin ◽  
Hongzhi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Intercultural Communicative Competence ◽  
Higher Education Management ◽  
Intercultural Performance ◽  
Chinese International Student

In the higher education market, the cross-border flow of international students has become increasingly apparent. For Australia, China has been a major student source and most of these students have been enrolled in the higher education sector. Such a phenomenon has rendered the innovation of higher education management necessary, and its socio-cultural influence has attracted attention from the Australian government. This study suggests that international students’ intercultural communicative competence (ICC) deficits could influence their self-perceptions thus compromising their ability to communicate with peers. Using a qualitative research approach, the study explores the extent to which China’s College English influences Chinese international students’ intercultural performance and unpacks the reasons for their behaviours. An autoethnography of a Chinese international student was provided to indicate that the experience from both home and host countries would constitute a habitual thinking pattern that could exert an enduring impact on individuals. Via critically engaging with Byram and Morgan’s three dimensions of ICC and Byram’s model of ICC, the participant’s ICC was analysed, and her conceptions of culture and language were discovered. This study advocates more meaningful explorations about English curricula and highlights the need for forming a caring and humane society and tapping the value of international students in the era of globalisation.

scholarly journals Comparing International Student Friendship Networks in Buenos Aires: Direct Enrollment Program vs. Study Abroad Centers

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake Hendrickson
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Cultural Adaptation ◽  
International Student ◽  
Buenos Aires ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Friendship Networks ◽  
Cross Cultural Adaptation ◽  
The Cross

A robust pattern identified in the cross-cultural adaptation and international education literature shows that upon arrival in a new cultural environment international students tend to form new friendships with individuals from their own countries while failing to develop relationships with those from the host country. This is problematic considering that communication with host nationals lies at the heart of the cross-cultural adaptation process and host national friendship is associated with a diverse set of positive outcomes. A historical debate among university administrators, international educators, and scholars as to the most effective way to arrange study abroad initiatives pivots around the amount of interaction that students have with the local culture. In order to examine the impact that study abroad program models have on friendship networks this study employs a mixed-method, longitudinal strategy to compare the friendship networks of 105 international students enrolled in 10 different study abroad programs and universities in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Results show that students studying directly at Argentine Public and Private Universities have significantly more Argentine and other international student friends while students in US-based Island programs have significantly more friends form their own country. These findings reveal the central role that study abroad administration plays in the interpersonal interaction that international students have with individuals from the host country, provide several explanations for the current trends, and give implications for study abroad administration.

scholarly journals TRANSFORMATIVE ELEMENTS AND SELF-ACCULTURATION FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF FRESHMAN YEAR AT MALAYSIAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES AS THE MEDIUM OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (39) ◽  
pp. 29-55
Author(s):  
Irma Wani Othman ◽  
Mohd Kamal Mohd Shah ◽  
Muhammad Safuan Yusoff ◽  
Mohd. Sohaimi Esa ◽  
Romzi Ationg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Academic Achievement ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Freshman Year ◽  
New Findings

The academic aspect plays a vital role as a transformative element in bringing change into the life of each individual. One of the main goals for students to continue their studies abroad is to obtain a high-quality education. The freshman experience is considered an important phase involving self-assimilation, emotional change, cultural shock, and social values that can influence the academic achievement of international students. The discussion of this paper detailing the factors that contribute to a more meaningful freshman year experience is differentiated by comparing the process of self-assimilation and academic achievement of international students. The qualitative approach using the purposive sampling technique has involved in-depth interviews of 40 international students from four Malaysian Public Universities. The findings of the study generate a self-reflective understanding of the nature of international students which is translated through selective narratives of emotional outpouring, describing excitement, desire, and hope. The new findings for this study relate to the elements of transformation and self-assimilation of students who have an interrelationship with (i) The reputation of Malaysian Public Universities as a prestigious study destination, (ii) The quality of the higher education system which is more comprehensive and versatile, (iii) Flexibility and the dynamics of the academic programmes offered, (iv) Contemporary and market-driven study programmes, and (v) The added value of English proficiency as a method of learning and teaching. The sharing of empirical data of this study is expected to be useful information to the human resource management of the university which has a high dependence on the enrolment of international students. This effort is in line with the National Strategic Plan for Higher Education (PSPTN) which was formulated with the vision of transforming Malaysia into a hub of excellence in higher education on the international stage.

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.

scholarly journals Birds of a Feather Fare Less Well Together: Modeling Predictors of International Student Adaptation

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2317
Author(s):  
Renee Gibbs ◽  
Oya Yerin Güneri ◽  
Thomas Pankau ◽  
Lynette Bikos
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
International Student ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Cultural Distance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Sociocultural Adaptation ◽  
Host Country Nationals

Sociocultural adaptation to the host country is an important corollary to the psychological well-being of international students. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to test a model of sociocultural adaptation and psychological wellbeing. International students in Ankara, Turkey (N = 161, mean age = 22.35) completed online surveys. Consistent with our hypotheses, interpersonal connections with host nationals predicted greater sociocultural adaptation (β = 0.250, p = 0.001) and interpersonal connections with co-nationals resulted in poorer psychological adjustment (β = −0.171, p = 0.025). Host-country language proficiency led to better sociocultural adaptation (β = 0.262, p < 0.001), and perceptions of greater cultural distance had a negative impact on both psychological (β = 0.314, p < 0.001) and sociocultural adaptation (β = 0.328, p < 0.001). Thus, students who were able to engage in relations with host-country nationals fared better. Our results provide insight for sending and receiving institutions regarding the preparation (e.g., exploring cognitive frames for immersion, language skills, reviewing coping strategies) and supportive services (e.g., connection with host country nationals) that will facilitate the adjustment of international students.

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 (Re)Examining the Research on International Students: Where Are We Today?

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. I-X
Author(s):  
Krishna Bista
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
United States ◽  
International Students ◽  
Host Country ◽  
International Student ◽  
The United States ◽  
Working Definition ◽  
Permanent Resident ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
College Or University

A working definition of an international student, as Shapiro, Farrelly and Tomas (2014) acknowledged, is “a student who moves to another country (the host country) for the purpose of pursuing tertiary or higher education e.g., college or university” (p.2). The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) defines an international student as: “Anyone who is enrolled at an institution of higher education in the United States who is not a U.S. citizen, an immigrant (permanent resident) or a refugee” (2015, para 2).

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