Exploring the Role of the Student Affairs Office in Enhancing the Cultural and Social Experiences of International Students in China

Many universities are hosting and enrolling international students as an important aspect of their internationalisation mission of higher education. However, many international students experienced significant problems adjusting into a host culture and social milieu. Informing this qualitative study were 45 international students in a top-tier comprehensive research university in Southeast China. The study focuses on the experience of international students towards the role played by international Fu Da Yuans (Counsellors) in enhancing the students’ cultural and social experiences at the university. The results indicate that the four most significant adjustment issues for international students are the language challenges, social interaction with Chinese students, cultural orientation programmes, and counselling services for international students. Building on the U-Curve adjustment theory (Oberg, 1960), the study revealed the importance of international Fu Da Yuans to provide cultural and social support to international students for easy adjustment into a new culture and social setting. The study bears practical implications to providing international Fu Da Yuans with important insights that can help to create an environment conducive to enhancing the cultural and social experiences of international students.

Inter-Parental Conflict’s Persistent Effects on Adolescent Psychological Distress, Adjustment Issues, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Lockdown

The current study sought to ascertain the impact of inter-parent conflicts on teenage psychological distress, social and academic adjustment and examine the suicide ideation during the COVID-19. The results found to be alarming as 22% of the individuals displayed suicidal tendencies, with 9% having attempted suicide once, 4.6% having tried suicide twice, and 11% stating that they were likely to do so again. Therefore, the media and the government might host awareness programs and counseling initiatives to promote mental health and prevent suicidal behavior. Moreover, parents may be educated on community level, about the effect of inter-parental arguments on the mental health of their children.

International Students’ Acculturation in China

With the development of globalization, more and more international students are pursuing their studies in China. The adjustment issues faced by these students should be explored in order to ensure the students’ successful transition to the host country. This study aims at exploring the cultural adaptation of international students studying in China and their interests in the Chinese culture.

Self-Esteem as a Predictor of Psychological Adjustment to Limb Loss: A Case Study of Acquired Limb Amputation

OBJECTIVES: To examine the psychological issues following acquired limb amputation and examine the significance of positive self-esteem in the psychological adjustment of amputation. METHODOLOGY: This case study was conducted in the surgical and orthopedic units of different government and private hospitals of Peshawar district. The study includes a sample of 100 acquired limb amputees,both adult males and females admitted in different hospitals of Peshawar. Patients with congenital limb loss or with preexisting psychological issues were excluded from the study. Psychological adjustment scale developed by Sabir (1999) and Self-Esteem scale developed by Rifai’s (1999) was used to determine the amputee’s level of psychological adjustment and self-esteem. RESULTS: Results revealed that amputation leads to number of psychological issues. It was found that males had lowered self-esteem and severe adjustment issues then females while young amputees exhibit greater signs of maladjustment as compared to older amputees. Regression analysis for selfesteem predicting psychological adjustment also displayed pronounced differences in the level of psychological adjustment due changing level of self-esteem. The model suggested a strong positive relation between self-esteem and psychological adjustment (r=0.880, B=0.867, t=18.37, p<.001) and 77.5% of the variance in the dependent variable (psychological adjustment) was caused by predictor variable i.e. self-esteem (R2=0.775, F (98)=337.6, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Amputation badly disturbs the psychological state of an amputee and an amputee’s self-esteem is an important coping tool and has a direct relation with better psychological adjustment to limb loss.

Definition of Reference Models for Power, Mass, Working Width, and Price for Tillage Implements

Farm machinery selection, operation and management directly impact crop cultivation processes and outputs. A priori quantification of technical and financial needs allows definition of proportionate distribution and management of available resources and simplification of selection process. Appropriate planning, association and adjustment of the power unit and implement are required for soil cultivation. Consideration of functional parameters of the implement, their proper estimation and operation directly impact the soil structure, productivity and return on investment. Thus, a modelling approach was implemented for the definition of possible parameter-price relations for tillage equipment. The performed analysis allowed us to investigate the main relevant parameters, quantify their impact, and elaborate forecasting models for price, power, mass and working width. The significant relevance of the technical parameters and adjustment issues were outlined for each tillage implement group. For harrows and cultivators, the dependencies between studied parameters expressed better predictive qualities, especially for price-mass relation (R² > 0.8). While for ploughs power and mass relation had a primary output (R² = 0.7). The prediction features of the models provided reliable results for the estimation of the indicative values of the price and parameters of the implements.

A Qualitative Analysis of Academic and Cultural Adjustment: American Students in Thailand, What Can Be Done for Them?

Historically, academic inquiry regarding student mobility was conceptualized within an East-to-West paradigm. However, the number of Americans studying in Thailand increases annually. The United States and Thailand differ in terms of academic culture and sociocultural norms. As such, the visiting American students encounter a variety of academic and cultural adjustment issues. This qualitative study focuses on identifying and examining various cultural adjustment barriers that American students face when studying at a Thai university. The aim of this article is to identify the major cultural adjustment issues. Face-to-face in-depth interviews with 22 Americans were audio recorded and thematically analyzed. This case study of participants at a major international college in Thailand identified five primary themes: (a) The “ Farang” Bubble, (b) Language Barriers, (c) Traveling Within the Region, (d) University Life, and (e) Local Transportation. Specific recommendations regarding how universities and study abroad companies can provide better services to facilitate cultural adjustment and overall student experience as well as which additional services are needed are addressed.

Career Counseling for International Students

International students are a group with diverse career needs and concerns. The challenges international students face (e.g., psychological and sociocultural adjustment issues, language barriers, sense of loss, financial problems, getting used to a new educational system) when they come to study in the United States, as well as their expectations of coming to a new country, may significantly influence their career needs and decision-making processes. In this chapter, the authors suggest social cognitive career theory (SCCT) as a framework for working with the undergraduate and graduate international student population by emphasizing intervention strategies and making specific recommendations.

The Transition Out of Sport: A Case of College Athletics and Academic Support Services

As the commercialization of intercollegiate sport continues to grow, it is critical to understand how transitioning away from college athletics may impact student-athletes. Sport administrators, coaches, academic support personnel, and players should be aware of how athletic identity, unpreparedness, and a lack of social connection can drastically impact student-athletes postsport. Understanding the adjustment issues associated with transition away from sport is crucial in developing policies and support services to effectively help struggling student-athletes. Sport management students are particularly important in the transition because they will be at the forefront of programming efforts. In addition, sport management students need to be exposed to the issue of athlete identity and adjustment in order to act in the best interests of student-athletes. The discussion questions provide an opportunity for sport management students to critically evaluate these issues from a multitude of perspectives.