Adaptation of foreign students in the educational space of the university: Factors and conditions

UDC 378-054.6
DOI 10.20339/AM.05-24.044

Marina N. Kicherova,
Ph.D. (Sociology),
Associate Professor of General and Economic Sociology Chair,
University of Tyumen,
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5829-7570,
Researcher ID: Q-3629-2019, РИНЦ Author ID 504058,
e-mail: m.n.kicherova@utmn.ru

Elizaveta A. Yurina,
Student of Sociology,
University of Tyumen,
e-mail: stud0000249864@study.utmn.ru

The relevance of the problem is determined by the need to improve approaches to the adaptation and integration of foreign students, whose number is growing annually due to the processes of internationalization of higher education. The article presents an analysis of the best practices and experience of adaptation of foreign students in universities in different countries. According to the results of a study implemented at Tyumen State University using content analysis methods and semi-formalized interviews, problem areas of adaptation were identified, factors and conditions that form in the process of interaction between teachers and foreign students were revealed. Recommendations for university management are proposed, and forms of adaptation are highlighted, the potential of which is not fully used. The practical significance lies in the possibility of applying the results and conclusions for the development of university adaptation programs for foreign students.

Keywords: international students, internationalization of higher education, adaptation, integration, universities, factors of adaptation, academic adaptation

References

1. Khamukova, B.R., Mamizheva, Z.H. Adaptation as a social process: modern scientific approaches in the system of humanitarian knowledge. Vestnik of the Maikop State Technological University. 2020. No. 2 (45). P. 121–128.
2. Luneva, O.V. Social adaptation. Knowledge. Understanding. Skill. 2018. No. 3. P. 240–247.
3. Kapitanova, N.V. Social adaptation in a technogenic society. Society: sociology, psychology, pedagogy. 2022. No. 7 (99). P. 33–38.
4. Arkatova, O.G. Features of socio-cultural adaptation of foreign students. Socio-humanitarian knowledge. 2015. No. 8. P. 127–136.
5. Ambarova, P.A., Zborovsky, G.E., Nikolsky, V.S., Shabrov, N.V. Academic and socio-cultural adaptation of students in Russian universities. Higher education in Russia. 2022. No. 31 (12). P. 9–30.
6. Bortnikova, L.V., Nagovitsyn, R.S. Analysis of methods of adaptation of foreign students in Russia and in the UK. Scientific notes of the P.F. Lesgaft University. 2023. No. 4 (218). P. 43–46.
7. Smith, S.M., Carter-Rogers, K, Norris, M.E., Brophy, T. Students Starting University: Exploring Factors That Promote Success for First-Year International and Domestic Students. In: Frontiers in Education. 2022D. DOI: 10.3389/feduc.2022.779756
8. McGregor, A. et al. Supporting international students in an Ontario college: A case for multiple interventions. The Canadian Journal of Action Research. 2022. Vol. 22. No. 2. P. 5–28.
9. Singh, P. et al. International students: What’s missing and what matters. Open Journal of Social Sciences. 2022. Vol. 10. No. 2. P. 381–397.
10. Jiang, Q., Yuen, M., Horta, H. Factors influencing life satisfaction of international students in Mainland China // International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling. 2020. Vol. 42. P. 393–413.
11. Martirosyan, N.M., Bustamante, R.M., Saxon, D.P. Academic and social support services for international students: Current practices. Journal of international Students. 2019. Vol. 9. No. 1. P. 172–191.