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International Student Adjustment
The George Washington University
School of Business
October 2, 2012
Johann F. Ducharme
Overview
1. What strategies would you suggest in order to
promote integration of these students into both
the School of Business and GW as a whole?
2. What specific factors need to be taken into
account?
Literature Supported Action
Research on Peer Programs
Literature Review
● Initial Transition to U.S. & Barriers to
Adjustment
● English Language Proficiency
● Social Stressors & Cultural Adjustment
Lit. Review | Barriers
Honeymoon Depression
Multidimensional Role Adjustment
(Bochner, 1972)
Lit. Review | Barriers
“Compared to their domestic counterparts, international students
tend to experience greater adjustment difficulties and more
distress during their initial transition into the university and
report greater academic and career needs (Hechanova-
Alampay, Beehr, Christiansen, & Van Horn, 2002; Leong &
Sedlacek, 1989; Van Oudenhoven & Van der Zee, 2002).”
Lit. Review | English
“English language proficiency is an important factor
in predicting students' academic achievement. For
example, language proficiency is positively
correlated with freshmen academic performance
(Stoynoff, 1997).”
Lit. Review | Stressors
“While students from a more individualistic culture
may identify with the U.S. mainstream culture, the ones
from a more collectivist culture may feel distant
(Swagler & Ellis, 2003; Triandis, 1991)”
Implications
Initial Transition & Barriers to Adjustment
- comprehensive orientation program
- contact with co-nationals
English Language Proficiency
- remedial coursework
- interaction w/faculty
Social Stressors & Adjustment
- satisfying contact w/host culture
- peer-to-peer program
Recommendations
● Know thy responsibilities.
● ISO & the Advising Center
● Co-national mentorship
● Faculty partnerships
● American peer interactions
References
Abe, J., Talbot, D.M. & Geelhoed, R.J. (1998) Effects of a Peer Program on International Student
Adjustment. Journal of College Student Development, 39(6), 539-547.
Church, A. T. (1982). Sojourner adjustment. Psychological Bulletin, 91, 540-572.
Kaczmarek, P.G., Matlock, G., Merta, R., Ames, M.H., & Ross, M. (1994). An assessment of
international college student adjustment. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 17,
241-247.
Poyrazli, S. & Grahame, K. M. (2007). Barriers to adjustment: needs of international students within a
semi-urban campus community. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 34(1), 28-45.
Questions, comments, or responses?

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InternationalStudentAdjustment

  • 1. International Student Adjustment The George Washington University School of Business October 2, 2012 Johann F. Ducharme
  • 2. Overview 1. What strategies would you suggest in order to promote integration of these students into both the School of Business and GW as a whole? 2. What specific factors need to be taken into account? Literature Supported Action Research on Peer Programs
  • 3. Literature Review ● Initial Transition to U.S. & Barriers to Adjustment ● English Language Proficiency ● Social Stressors & Cultural Adjustment
  • 4. Lit. Review | Barriers Honeymoon Depression Multidimensional Role Adjustment (Bochner, 1972)
  • 5. Lit. Review | Barriers “Compared to their domestic counterparts, international students tend to experience greater adjustment difficulties and more distress during their initial transition into the university and report greater academic and career needs (Hechanova- Alampay, Beehr, Christiansen, & Van Horn, 2002; Leong & Sedlacek, 1989; Van Oudenhoven & Van der Zee, 2002).”
  • 6. Lit. Review | English “English language proficiency is an important factor in predicting students' academic achievement. For example, language proficiency is positively correlated with freshmen academic performance (Stoynoff, 1997).”
  • 7. Lit. Review | Stressors “While students from a more individualistic culture may identify with the U.S. mainstream culture, the ones from a more collectivist culture may feel distant (Swagler & Ellis, 2003; Triandis, 1991)”
  • 8. Implications Initial Transition & Barriers to Adjustment - comprehensive orientation program - contact with co-nationals English Language Proficiency - remedial coursework - interaction w/faculty Social Stressors & Adjustment - satisfying contact w/host culture - peer-to-peer program
  • 9. Recommendations ● Know thy responsibilities. ● ISO & the Advising Center ● Co-national mentorship ● Faculty partnerships ● American peer interactions
  • 10. References Abe, J., Talbot, D.M. & Geelhoed, R.J. (1998) Effects of a Peer Program on International Student Adjustment. Journal of College Student Development, 39(6), 539-547. Church, A. T. (1982). Sojourner adjustment. Psychological Bulletin, 91, 540-572. Kaczmarek, P.G., Matlock, G., Merta, R., Ames, M.H., & Ross, M. (1994). An assessment of international college student adjustment. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 17, 241-247. Poyrazli, S. & Grahame, K. M. (2007). Barriers to adjustment: needs of international students within a semi-urban campus community. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 34(1), 28-45. Questions, comments, or responses?