QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT ISSUES IN AUSTRIA: THE CASE STUDY OF PAKISTANI PH.D. SCHOLARS
Keywords:
Cultural Adjustment, Grounded Theory, Ph.D. Scholars, Qualitative Analysis, StressorsAbstract
This study aims to investigate the cultural adjustment issues faced by the Pakistani PhD scholars, studying at different public sector universities of Austria. In doing so, an open-ended questionnaire was used to obtain qualitative data from the participants. The conclusions were drawn by employing the ‘Grounded Theory’ analysis. Based on seven main themes, emerged from analysis of the responses of participants, the main findings reveal that adjustment in Austria is affected by homesickness, lack of proficiency in German language, communication gap with Austrian community and living without a social life. Moreover, most Pakistani PhD scholars have reported a significant positive change in their attitudes during their stay in Austria. They have improved considerably in the sense of responsibility, sensitivity for others, tolerance towards other communities, independence, confidence, punctuality and in being more digital. We believe that our analysis is a valuable addition to the literature of adjustment experiences of international students. Our findings may also provide helpful information to the prospective students to Austria, relevant university departments, and counseling psychologists.References
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intercultural communication effectiveness, and the psychological
health of international students in the United States. Journal of
Intercultural Communication Research, 32(3/4), 227-245.
Yue, Y., Fan, S., & Fan, W. (2013). Social support discourse for
international students in an Australian tertiary context. Internet
Journal of Language, Culture and Society, 37(2013), 82-93.
Zhou, Y., et al. (2008). Theoretical models of culture shock and adaptation
in international students in higher education, Studies in Higher
Education, 33(1), 63-75.
identity dynamics: capturing changes in cultural identities over time
and their intraindividual organization. European Journal of Social
Psychology.
Berry, J. W., & Ward, C. (2006). Commentary on “Redefining interactions
across cultures and organizations.” Group & Organization
Management, 31(1), 64-77.
Brown, L., & Holloway, I. (2008). The initial stage of the international
sojourn: excitement or culture shock? British Journal of
Guidance & Counselling, 36(1), 33-49.
Chen, C. P. (1999). Professional issues: Common stressors among
international college students: Research and counseling
implications. Journal of College Counseling, 2(1), 49-65.
Ching, Y., Renes, S. L., McMurrow, S., Simpson, J., & Strange, A. T. (2017).
Challenges facing Chinese international students studying in the
United States. Educational Research and Reviews, 12(8), 473-482.
De Araujo, A. A. (2011). Adjustment issues of international students
enrolled in American colleges and universities: A review of the
literature. Higher Education Studies, 1(1), 2-8.
Hayes, C. (1998). World class learning: In today’s global economy, an
advanced degree from a foreign university can translate into
career success. But before heading overseas, be sure to do your
homework. Black Enterprise, 28(1), 85-92.
Jacob, E. J., & Greggo, J. W. (2001). Using counselor training and collaborative
programming strategies in working with international students.
Journal of Multicultural counseling and development, 29(1), 73-88.
Johnson, L. R., & Sandhu, D. S. (2007). Isolation, adjustment, and
acculturation issues of international students: Intervention
strategies for counselors. In H.D. Singaravelu & M. Pope
(Eds.), A handbook for counseling international students in the
United States (pp. 13-35). Alexandria, VA, US: American
Counseling Association.
Junzi, X. (2009). Analysis of impact of acculturative stress on individual
psychology. International Journal of Psychological Studies, 1(2),
97-101.
Lefdahl-Davis, E. M., & Perrone-McGovern, K. M. (2015). The cultural
adjustment of Saudi women international students: A qualitative
examination. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 46(3), 406-434.
McClure, J. W. (2007). International graduates’ cross-cultural adjustment:
Experiences, coping strategies, and suggested programmatic
responses. Teaching in Higher Education, 12(2), 199-217.
McLachlan, D. A., & Justice, J. (2009). A Grounded theory of international
student well-being. Journal of Theory Construction & Testing,
13(1), 27-32.
Miyazaki, Y. (2008). Factorial structure of Brief COPE for international
students attending US colleges. College Student Journal, 42(3),
795-806.
Morrow, S. L. (2005). Quality and trustworthiness in qualitative research
in counseling psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology,
52(2), 250-260.
Olivas, M., & Li, C. (2006). Understanding stressors of international
students in higher education: What college counselors and
personnel need to know. Journal of Instructional Psychology,
33(3), 217-222.
Redmond, M.V., & Bunyi, J. M. (1993). The relationship of intercultural
communication competence with stress and the handling of stress
as reported by international students. International Journal of
Intercultural Relations, 17(2), 235–254.
Sam, D. L., & Berry, J. W. (2006). Acculturation psychology. Cambridge,
UK: Cambridge University Press.
Smith, R.A. & Khawja, N.G. (2011). A review of the acculturation
experiences of international students. International Journal of
Intercultural Relations, 35(6), 699-713.
Sovic, S. (2007). Coping with stress: The perspective of international students.
Art, Design & Communication in Higher Education, 6(3), 145-158.
Taylor, M. (2005). Catch ‘em while you can. The Guardian, Retrieved from
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2005/feb/08/tuitionfees.students
Ward, C. (2004). Psychological theories of culture contact and their
implications for intercultural training and interventions (pp. 185-
216. in D. Landis, J. M. Bennett, & M. J. Bennett (Eds.).
Handbook of intercultural training. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Wang, Y., Li, T., Noltemeyer, A., Wang, A., Zhang, J., & Shaw, K. (2018).
Cross-cultural adaptation of international college students in the
United States. Journal of International Students, 8(2), 821-842.
Wenhua, H. & Zhe, Z. (2013). International students’ adjustment problems
at university: A critical literature review. Academic Research
International, 4(2), 400-406.
Wu, H.P., Garza, E., & Guzman, N. (2015). International student’s
challenge and adjustment to college. Education Research
International, 2015.
Yamaguchi, Y. & Wiseman, R. L. (2003). Locus of control, self-construal,
intercultural communication effectiveness, and the psychological
health of international students in the United States. Journal of
Intercultural Communication Research, 32(3/4), 227-245.
Yue, Y., Fan, S., & Fan, W. (2013). Social support discourse for
international students in an Australian tertiary context. Internet
Journal of Language, Culture and Society, 37(2013), 82-93.
Zhou, Y., et al. (2008). Theoretical models of culture shock and adaptation
in international students in higher education, Studies in Higher
Education, 33(1), 63-75.
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Published
2019-01-13
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