Abstract
<p class="apa">Students pursuing studies in a foreign land experience a disruption or loss of familiar support networks that function as powerful coping mechanisms in times of stress. Loss of social support has been associated with negative consequences such as depression, anxiety and loneliness. Researchers have categorized social support as emotional, practical, informational and in the form of social companionship. This study reports the findings of a study involving undergraduate international students pursuing their first degrees in four research universities in Malaysia. Using the quantitative methodology, a total of 400 questionnaires were distributed to international undergraduates with a return of 318 questionnaires. Results showed that many international students desired frequent social support from host national students in all four categories. Suggestions are made to institutions of higher learning to create a more supportive and conducive environment for intercultural contact in line with the efforts of internationalization.</p>
Highlights
Introduction1.1 The ProblemResearch on stress and coping has highlighted the importance of social support and its positive health outcomes, including both physical and mental well-being (Argyle, 1992; Piko, 1998)
1.1 The ProblemResearch on stress and coping has highlighted the importance of social support and its positive health outcomes, including both physical and mental well-being (Argyle, 1992; Piko, 1998)
The results suggest that generally international students enrolled in these universities expect the four main types of support: emotional, practical, informational and social companionship support
Summary
1.1 The ProblemResearch on stress and coping has highlighted the importance of social support and its positive health outcomes, including both physical and mental well-being (Argyle, 1992; Piko, 1998). Students pursuing studies in a foreign land experience a disruption or loss of familiar support networks that functioned as powerful coping mechanisms in times of stress. It was found that international students would have liked more emotional, practical and informational support from host national students. International students’ desire for more of such support may be due to a lack of contact with host national students who could be instrumental in the international students’ adjustment to the new culture. Increased contact between both groups of students could pave the way for the provision of emotional and practical support associated with a social network. Social support plays an important role in the well-being of students and is a key area of concern especially for international students
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