Abstract
ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to determine the adaptation process of international medical school students to university life in Turkey. MethodsThe mixed method design study, including all the international students (n=127) studying at Ege University School of Medicine, is employed. Qualitative data were collected from 23 students selected by purposive sampling technique. Two instruments were utilized for collecting data: Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) and Brief COPE. Focus group interviews were performed for qualitative data collection. ResultsThe mean SACQ score of the medical students was found to be 407.44 (SD=68.29). The Academic Adjustment category included the themes of educational goals, different studying habits, accommodation, academic advisor, and scholarship. The Social Adjustment category included the themes of social interaction and support, differences, longing for family, discrimination and its effects on social life. The Personal/Emotional adjustment category included themes of psychological and physiological health problems. The Goal Commitment/Institutional Attachment category included themes of academic and social adaptation as well as the student’ communication with education management. ConclusionsThis study identifies to light critical issues in supporting international students with adaptation problems to university life in Turkey. It is clear that revising the content of education programs to enable international exchange is not sufficient enough by itself to meet the needs of international students.
Highlights
University life is a challenging period for students since it re- defining the idea that the stressful life brought about by culquires effort in different areas
Lysgaard has stated that the adaptation ories commonly explain cultural adaptation to this new en- processes of individuals who have to live in a different culture vironment
Adaptation of the students to the university life was found to be on a satisfactory level (Maximum Score Approach Rate=67.57%)
Summary
University life is a challenging period for students since it re- defining the idea that the stressful life brought about by culquires effort in different areas. These efforts include integra- tural change influences the personalities of other family tion to academic and social life at a university, dealing with members. One of them is Social Isolation Theory which not change in time. This approach, which was the first used to only describes an individual’s physical deportation from the explain cultural adaptation, is called the “U Curve”.
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