Striving and Thriving in a Foreign Culture: A Mixed Method Approach on Adult International Students’ Experience in U.S.A.

Abstract

In this mixed method study, we examined the experience of a sample of international students in four American universities to identify the factors that might enhance their ability in surviving and thriving in a foreign country within the context of university internationalization. The research explored the concepts of cultural values, behaviors, perceptions, and strategies related to international students’ cultural adaption. The findings of this study indicate that while benefiting from the oversea study experience, international students faced a number of challenges associated with their unique and unfamiliar surroundings. Moreover, this research suggests that while personal and psychological factors are important in the process of being successful in American universities, the availability of supportive resources on campus and community are also critical. The recommendations for university faculty and staff were discussed.