Role of Social Support in the Adjustment of International Student during the Process of Acculturation

Author

Aimee Kathleen, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

12-1-2024

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Education

First Advisor

Pender, Debra

Second Advisor

Bruns, Deborah

Abstract

Universities in the United States of America host a significant number of international students. These students come from a multitude of culture and bring a range of their own cultural values and norms. However, due to encountering different cultural norms and values, the choice to studying overseas may present many challenges, including difficulties with adjustment to the environment of the host country and experiences acculturative stress. This study considers problems arising during the students’ initial transition period, as they acculturate into the American culture and educational system. The present paper provides a review of current acculturation, adjustment, and social support models as applied to international students. While using a qualitative research method, sixteen South Asian graduate students from two distinct countries, India and Nepal, were interviewed to present their personal experience with acculturation and adjustment in the academic settings in a Mid Western University. This study used an Interpretative Phenomenology approach to obtain an applicable and common understanding of the meaning of participants’ experiences through the transcribed interviews. Data analysis was emphasized to understand the meaning of the text by reading individual parts and comparing the meanings of parts as a whole. Working through the phases of IPA, the researcher developed a descriptive account of phenomena through the eyes of participants. The focus was to understand what matters to the participants, with attention to specific events, particular relationships, and core values. The researcher recorded participants’ objective comments and emotional expressions. Further analysis then helped the researcher in interpreting and exploring the meaning participants gave to aspects of their stories. Participants reported their experiences encountered during their initial transition into the US. They experiences were a reflection of their initial and ongoing adjustment to the U.S. environment, including how they made sense of their experiences and how their ways of thinking and behaving changed. The participants also shared their strategies they perceived as helpful in specific situations. Based on an analysis of participants’ interviews, themes that arose from the interviews included (a) challenges they encountered in respect to their homeland and the new environment, including language/communication, culture, academic study and learning, living in the US, and psychological adjustments; (b) recognizing strengths and positive growth from facing challenges and adapting to their new environment; and (c) acknowledging the need to accept help and how to more proactively seek and receive help as needed. Recommendations and Implications for more actively assisting and including South Asian international students are also discussed