International students: Culture shock and adaptation to the U.S. culture

<p>Annually thousands of international students attend US colleges and universities which requires them to adjust to a new environment, often accompanied by a culture shock experience.</p> <p>This study analyzes to what degree cultural background, gender differences, language proficiency, self-confidence/self-efficacy, and social support networks impact the adjustment process of international students to the US culture.</p> <p>Forty-five international students attending a Michigan community college were surveyed and interviewed to assess the relationship among self-confidence/self-efficacy, cultural background, gender and social support networks. Western students reported more positive cultural adjustment (<em>M</em>=29.0) than non-western students (<em>M</em>=29.0). Males adjusted better (<em>M</em>=29.4) than their female peers (<em>M</em>=25.4). A significant positive correlation was found between cultural adjustment and the experience of culture shock symptoms. English usage of English as a primary language in the students’ home countries accounted for a stronger social support network.</p> <p>These results have implications for college and university personnel in working with international students. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Teacher Education

Year dc:date.available

2005

Author dc:creator

• Baier, Stefanie Theresia

Contributors dc:contributor

• Pat Pokay, PhD, Chair
• Robert Carpenter, PhD
• Joe Bishop, PhD

• Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education
• Educational Psychology
• Higher Education

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/523

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1895