International students' spouses: Invisible sojourners in the culture shock literature

Abstract

Surprisingly little is known about international students' spouses' cross-cultural adjustment process. This qualitative study explores the characteristics, needs, and expectations of this specific sojourner population. Participants were 49 spouses from 26 countries whose husbands were international graduate students at a large university in rural Virginia. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted covering a wide range of areas. Insights were provided regarding such pre-arrival dimensions as choice and decision making, psychological preparation, length of proposed stay, preparedness for change, family tradition of overseas study, degree of information about the USA, and formulation of a personal project for the sojourn. Among the dimensions impacting on the early adjustment process special attention was given to simultaneous or separate arrival, relocation from another campus, English fluency, financial status, and missing family and friends. Results indicate a great diversity among spouses. Personal variables seem to predominate over situational factors, with personality traits, and individual and couple history appearing as more defining of psychological well-being than cultural distance and racial background. Gender-role orientation and work/family values were a key factor in the degree of culture-shock. While some spouses adapted easily, enjoying a more relaxed life style, others found the lack of professional activity a very painful experience, one of loss of valued aspects of their identity, and a severe blow to their self-esteem. Implications for early intervention are included.