Adaptation of International Students: Challenges and Solutions

Elena Makeeva; Marina Kulinich; Inessa Yakovleva

doi:10.36923/jicc.v21i3.20

Open Access Article Intercultural Communication

Elena Makeeva ⁽¹⁾ , Marina Kulinich ⁽²⁾ , Inessa Yakovleva ⁽³⁾

1. Department of English Philology and Intercultural Communication, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education, 25 Blukher Str., Samara, Russia 443001.

2. Department of English Philology and Intercultural Communication, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education, 25 Blukher Str., Samara, Russia 443001.

3. Department of English Philology and Intercultural Communication, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education, 25 Blukher Str., Samara, Russia 443001.

https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v21i3.20

Issue
Vol. 21 No. 3 (2021)

Submitted
2020 April 20

Published
2021 November 30

Keywords:

Russian language, adaptation, foreign students,, questionnaire, Kazakh students,, Uzbek students, Tajik students, Turkmen students, rmenian students, Kirgiz students

Ask AI (Dimensions)

Download PDF

Abstract

This study presents research on ways and means of adapting international students to higher education in a Russian university. These international students are mostly from CIS countries (former Soviet republics). As a background, the article outlines the role and place of the Russian language in these countries. It goes on to describe how Samara (a large industrial city with 1,200,000 population, formerly Kuibyshev, in the valley of the Volga river) and its environment are presented to newcomers from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kirgizstan and Armenia and analyzes the respondents’ answers to the questions in an online anonymous questionnaire that shows the degree of adaptation of foreign students to education in the Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education (SSUSSE). The paper gives an overview of the activities held at SSUSSE aimed at international students’ efficient integration into Russian everyday life and culture. The paper ends with some conclusions.

Full text article

Generated from XML file

References

Anufrieva, O.V. (2014). Social and psychological adaptation of foreign students as an acquisition determinant of Russian cultural field. International Journal of Experimental Education, 2: 123-124. Retrieved 24 May 2022 from https://s.expeducation.ru/pdf/2014/2/4648.pdf Google Scholar | WorldCat

Bekmurzayev, N. (2019). Russian Language Status in Central Asian Countries. Central Asia Bureau of Analytical Reporting (CABAR). Google Scholar | WorldCat

Federal Law on Education (2012). Retrieved 24 May 2022 from http://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_140174/ Google Scholar | WorldCat

Fedotova, N. & L. Miller (2018). Features of adaptation of foreign students to the Russian linguo-cultural and educational environment. RUDN Journal of Russian and Foreign Languages Research and Teaching, 16(2): 191-206. https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-2264-2018-16-2-191-206 Google Scholar | Crossref | WorldCat

Fierman, W. (2015). Russian language in post-Soviet central Asia: Persistence in prestige domains. RUDN Journal of Educational Issues: Languages and Specialty, 5: 56-63. Retrieved 24 May 2022 from https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/russian-language-in-post-soviet-central-asia-persistence-in-prestige-domains/viewer Google Scholar | WorldCat

Khalikov, Y. (2003). Uzbekistan’s Russian Language Conundrum. Center for Security Studies. Google Scholar | WorldCat

Kulinich, M.A,, E. Makeeva & E.V. Savitskaya (2019). Theory and practice of intercultural communication in language teacher training and translator training. ARPHA Proceedings 1: International Forum on Teacher Education (Part I: Teacher Education and Training) (397-406). ARPHA. https://doi.org/10.3897/ap.1.e0375 Google Scholar | Crossref | WorldCat

Latipov, Z.A., A.M. Ziyatdinov, L.A., Demidova, V. Gerasimov & M.N. Zaostrovtseva (2017). The problem of adaptation of foreign students studying in Russian universities. Revista Espacios, 38(56): 27. Retrieved 24 May 2022 from https://www.revistaespacios.com/a17v38n56/17385627.html Google Scholar | WorldCat

Latipova, L., L. Allanina,, I. Dmitrieva, N. Grigorieva, A. Borisova & A. Novikov (2017). Features of sociocultural adjustment of Chinese students studying in Russian universities. Revista Espacios, 38(56): 28. Retrieved 24 May 2022 from https://www.revistaespacios.com/a17v38n56/17385628.html Google Scholar | WorldCat

Letnyakov, D.E. (2015). Роль русского языка в постсоветской Центральной Азии (“The role of the Russian language in post-Soviet central Asia”). Politiya, 4(79): 100-115. Retrieved 24 May 2022 from https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/rol-russkogo-yazyka-v-postsovetskoy-tsentralnoy-azii Google Scholar | WorldCat

Li, M. & J. Campbell (2005). Cultural adaptation: A case study of Asian students’ learning experiences at a New Zealand University. Proceedings of the EDU-COM 2006 International Conference. Engagement and Empowerment: New Opportunities for Growth in Higher Education, Edith Cowan University, Perth Western Australia, 22-24 November 2006. Retrieved 24 May 2022 from https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ceducom/86/ Google Scholar | WorldCat

Li, Z. (2010). Socio-cultural Adjustment of International Students as Expatriates in America [master’s thesis]. Western Kentucky University. Retrieved 24 May 2022 from http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/228 Google Scholar | WorldCat

Lin, J. G. & J.K. Yi (1997). Asian international students’ adjustment: Issues and program suggestions. College Student Journal, 31(4): 473-485. Google Scholar | WorldCat

Litvina, T., D. Ivanova & L. Vladimirova (2018). Linguistic and cultural adaptation of foreign students at the Russian university. INTED2018 Proceedings 12th International Technology, Education and Development Conference (5068-5072), March 5th-7th, 2018, Valencia, Spain. Google Scholar | WorldCat

Lopukhova, Y. & E. Makeeva (2018). Teaching entrepreneurship through a CLIL approach in Russian technical universities. Society, Integration, Education: Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference (Volume I, Higher Education) (328-341). Rezekne, Rezekne Academy of Technologies. Retrieved 24 May 2022 from http://journals.ru.lv/index.php/SIE/article/view/3189/2966 Google Scholar | WorldCat

Makeeva, E. & Lopukhova, Y. (2018). Cross-cultural communication course as a form of internationalisation at home within Russian higher education institutions. Society, Integration, Education: Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference (Volume I, Higher Education) (361-373). Rezekne, Rezekne Academy of Technologies. Google Scholar | WorldCat

Mehdizadeh, N. & G. Scott (2005). Adjustment problems of Iranian international students in Scotland. International Education Journal, 6(4): 484-493. Retrieved 24 May 2022 from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ855001.pdf Google Scholar | WorldCat

Misra, R. & L. Castillo (2004). Academic stress among college students: Comparison of American and international students. International Journal of Stress Management, 11(2): 132-148. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/1072-5245.11.2.132 Google Scholar | Crossref | WorldCat

Perrucci, R., & H. Hu (1995). Satisfaction with social and educational experiences among international graduate students. Research in Higher Education. 36(4): 491-508. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02207908 Google Scholar | Crossref | WorldCat

OECD Reviews (2015). OECD Reviews of School Resources: Kazakhstan. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Google Scholar | WorldCat

San Diego, M.C. (2017). Sociocultural adjustment of foreign students in the Philippines. International Journal of Emerging Multidisciplinary Research, 1(1): 49-52. Google Scholar | WorldCat

Syzdykbayeva, R. (2016). The role of languages in developing plurilingual identities in Kazakhstan. NUGSE Research in Education, 1(1):15-19. Google Scholar | WorldCat

United Nations (2020) World Population Review: United Nations Population Estimates and Projections 2019-2020. Google Scholar | WorldCat

Vershinina, T.S. & O.L. Kocheva (2015). Adaptation of foreign students to the foreign culture learning environment using the six thinking hats method. International Education Studies, 8(6): 124-131. Retrieved 24 May 2022 from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1067794.pdf Google Scholar | WorldCat

Ward, C., S. Bochner, S. & A. Furnham (2001). The Psychology of Culture Shock. Routledge. Google Scholar | WorldCat

Ward, C. & A. Kennedy (1993). Where’s the “culture” in cross-cultural transition? Comparative study of sojourner adjustment. Journal of Cross-cultural Psychology, 24(2): 221-249. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0022022193242006 Google Scholar | WorldCat

Wilcox, P., S. Winn & M. Fyvie‐Gauld (2005). “It was nothing to do with the university, it was just the people”: The role of social support in the first‐year experience of higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 30(6): 707-722. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075070500340036 Google Scholar | Crossref | WorldCat

Wilson, G.P. (2011). Fitting-in: Sociocultural Adaptation of International Graduate Students [doctoral thesis]. Providence, RI, USA: Johnson & Wales University. Retrieved 24 May 2022 from https://opencommons.uconn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&context=nera_2011 Google Scholar | WorldCat

Authors

Elena Makeeva

makeeva.elena@pgsga.ru (Primary Contact)

Marina Kulinich

Inessa Yakovleva

Author Biographies

Elena Makeeva

Elena Makeeva, Ph.D. (English Studies), is head of the Department of English Philology and Intercultural Communication at Samara State University; deputy dean for scientific research and international collaboration; coordinator of student exchange activities; and author of more than 60 scientific and practical guides and papers on internationalization, professional development and modern methods in teaching and youth work. Her current interests include internationalization of higher education, intercultural communication, use of information technologies in education, and lifelong learning.

Marina Kulinich

Marina Kulinich, Ph.D. (English Studies), Ph.D. (Culture Studies), is a professor of English and intercultural studies. She has long experience of intercultural research within a variety of contexts such as translation studies, intercultural aspects of English-language teaching, and Vide-verbal texts and their application to teaching. She has written several books and articles in these areas. She has a strong commitment to teacher education.

Inessa Yakovleva

Inessa Yakovleva, Ph.D. (English studies), is an associate professor in the Faculty of Foreign Languages. She has long experience teaching English stylistics, English grammar, and general English practice. She supervises the student club “We Learn to be Teachers”; she involves students in sightseeing and international events and activities in Samara and the Samara region.

Makeeva, E., Kulinich, M., & Yakovleva, I. (2021). Adaptation of International Students: Challenges and Solutions . Journal of Intercultural Communication, 21(3), 41-54. https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v21i3.20

Download Citation

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

This journal provides immediate and free open access to all its content and is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This means readers are permitted to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author, as long as proper attribution is given. This policy is consistent with the Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI) definition of open access.

How to Cite