Success Factors for International Postgraduate Students' Adjustment: Exploring the Roles of Intercultural Competence, Language Proficiency, Social Contact and Social Support
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| Title: | Success Factors for International Postgraduate Students' Adjustment: Exploring the Roles of Intercultural Competence, Language Proficiency, Social Contact and Social Support |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Young, Tony J., Sercombe, Peter G., Sachdev, Itesh, Naeb, Rola, Schartner, Alina |
| Source: | European Journal of Higher Education. 2013 3(2):151-171. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 21 |
| Publication Date: | 2013 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Students, Graduate Students, Student Adjustment, Correlation, Acculturation, Emotional Adjustment, Social Adjustment, Income, Grades (Scholastic), Well Being, Mental Health, Life Satisfaction, Cultural Awareness, Language Proficiency, Interpersonal Relationship, Questionnaires, Student Attitudes, Qualitative Research, Statistical Analysis, Semi Structured Interviews, Academic Achievement, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom |
| DOI: | 10.1080/21568235.2012.743746 |
| ISSN: | 2156-8235 |
| Abstract: | The growth in the number of 'international' students in higher education is a phenomenon of increasing importance to educators, researchers and policymakers worldwide. This multi-methodological study explored factors associated with their adjustment, successful or otherwise. It integrated associations across three domains of enquiry which had hitherto usually been pursued separately--psychosocial, intercultural and educational adjustment. Specifically, the study investigated associations between a broad range of outcome indices--academic grades (for both taught and research assignments), psychological well-being, and satisfaction with life in the new environment--and, as contributory factors, participants' intercultural competence, language proficiency, and the degree, quality and patterns of social contact during their sojourn. Participants were 108 non-UK postgraduate students from a wide range of countries undertaking MA programmes at a British university. Of these, 102 completed a questionnaire with both quantitative and qualitative responses, and a further six took part in semi-structured interviews over their programme of study. Findings indicated strong associations between participants' academic achievement, satisfaction with life in the new environment and psychological well-being, and aspects of their intercultural competence, contact with non-co-nationals, including hosts, and with their language proficiency. Implications of these findings, and a future research agenda, are discussed. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Number of References: | 59 |
| Entry Date: | 2016 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1088928 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The growth in the number of 'international' students in higher education is a phenomenon of increasing importance to educators, researchers and policymakers worldwide. This multi-methodological study explored factors associated with their adjustment, successful or otherwise. It integrated associations across three domains of enquiry which had hitherto usually been pursued separately--psychosocial, intercultural and educational adjustment. Specifically, the study investigated associations between a broad range of outcome indices--academic grades (for both taught and research assignments), psychological well-being, and satisfaction with life in the new environment--and, as contributory factors, participants' intercultural competence, language proficiency, and the degree, quality and patterns of social contact during their sojourn. Participants were 108 non-UK postgraduate students from a wide range of countries undertaking MA programmes at a British university. Of these, 102 completed a questionnaire with both quantitative and qualitative responses, and a further six took part in semi-structured interviews over their programme of study. Findings indicated strong associations between participants' academic achievement, satisfaction with life in the new environment and psychological well-being, and aspects of their intercultural competence, contact with non-co-nationals, including hosts, and with their language proficiency. Implications of these findings, and a future research agenda, are discussed. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2156-8235 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/21568235.2012.743746 |
