ERIC Number: EJ1484280
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2162-3104
EISSN: EISSN-2166-3750
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Negotiating Cultural and Contextual Experiences: Exploring Acculturative Stress and Coping Strategies among International Students in Canada
Irene Torres-Arends; Michele Jacobsen; Brian Lang; Abhijay Sharma
Journal of International Students, v15 n9 p119-140 2025
This study identifies the intercultural and contextual stressors experienced by undergraduate international students in a business program at a private Canadian university. Using a sequential mixed-methods design, we drew on Redfield et al.'s (1936) concept of acculturation and Berry's (2001) theoretical model. First, we invited all international students in the program to complete a survey that included Sandhu and Asrabadi's (1994) Acculturative Stress Scale. Second, the survey data were complemented by focus groups organized by students' year in the program. The participants were presented with aggregated survey data to prompt discussion about the results. Intercultural stressors, such as cultural shock and homesickness, pose challenges in adapting to new cultural norms. Contextual stressors, including students' unmet expectations and uncertainties related to immigration policies, underscore structural issues that intensify students' challenges. This research underscores the significance of clear communication and proactive institutional support in enriching the academic and social experiences of international students.
Descriptors: Acculturation, Anxiety, Coping, Foreign Students, Student Attitudes, Cultural Differences, Foreign Countries, Undergraduate Students, Business Education, Private Colleges, Expectation, Barriers, Social Bias, Fear
Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jis@ojed.org; Web site: https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/index
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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