A Qualitative Analysis of Academic and Cultural Adjustment: American Students in Thailand, What Can Be Done for Them?

Autor/inn/en	Rybo-LoPresti, Blue; Rhein, Douglas
Titel	A Qualitative Analysis of Academic and Cultural Adjustment: American Students in Thailand, What Can Be Done for Them?
Quelle	In: SAGE Open, 11 (2021) 1Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Rhein, Douglas)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2158-2440
DOI	10.1177/21582440211003594
Schlagwörter	Student Adjustment; Acculturation; Cultural Differences; College Students; Foreign Students; Student Attitudes; Study Abroad; Young Adults; North Americans; Barriers; Thai; Language Proficiency; College Housing; Transportation; Travel; Life Style; Friendship; Social Integration; Foreign Countries; Thailand (Bangkok) + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Student; Students; Adjustment; Schüler; Schülerin; Studentin; Adaptation; Akkulturation; Kultureller Unterschied; Collegestudent; Schülerverhalten; Studies abroad; Auslandsstudium; Young adult; Junger Erwachsener; Language skill; Language skills; Sprachkompetenz; Studentenunterkunft; Verkehrswesen; Travelling; Reisen; Reise; Lebensstil; Freundschaft; Soziale Integration; Ausland
Abstract	Historically, academic inquiry regarding student mobility was conceptualized within an East-to-West paradigm. However, the number of Americans studying in Thailand increases annually. The United States and Thailand differ in terms of academic culture and sociocultural norms. As such, the visiting American students encounter a variety of academic and cultural adjustment issues. This qualitative study focuses on identifying and examining various cultural adjustment barriers that American students face when studying at a Thai university. The aim of this article is to identify the major cultural adjustment issues. Face-to-face in-depth interviews with 22 Americans were audio recorded and thematically analyzed. This case study of participants at a major international college in Thailand identified five primary themes: (a) The "Farang" Bubble, (b) Language Barriers, (c) Traveling Within the Region, (d) University Life, and (e) Local Transportation. Specific recommendations regarding how universities and study abroad companies can provide better services to facilitate cultural adjustment and overall student experience as well as which additional services are needed are addressed. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01