Domestic Students Research Articles

Experiences of International Graduate Students at Makerere University

The enrollment of international graduate students is declining at Makerere University. Yet, Makerere aspires to be a research-led institution with an internationalization agenda. There is a need to increase the number of international graduate students as this would help Makerere University to realize its vision. This study, therefore, explored international graduate students' experiences at Makerere University, and the following objective guided it: to explore the experiences of international graduate students at Makerere University. The study was based on the interpretive worldview, subscribing to the transcendental phenomenology of Edmund Husserl, which states that those who have experienced a phenomenon can give it meaning. Eight international graduate students at Makerere University were interviewed, and they were selected from different academic disciplines, which were categorized according to Becher and Biglan's classification. Data were thematically analyzed, whereby two themes, namely non-academic experiences and academic experiences, emerged. It was therefore concluded that international graduate students at Makerere University had both positive and negative non-academic and academic experiences. This study recommends that Makerere University Management should strengthen measures that lead to positive experiences for international graduate students, such as the provision of financial resources, strengthening the operations of the International Office, organizing events for graduate students to facilitate their interactions with the domestic students, and putting in place peer mentors for new international graduate students to foster a sense of community. This study also recommends that the International Office work very closely with the Deans of Schools in the different colleges of Makerere University. This will improve their academic experiences and, ultimately, their numbers at Makerere University. Finally, the university management should strengthen and streamline the activities of the International Office at Makerere University

Formal and informal foreign language learning at university: blurring the boundaries

ABSTRACT This paper is concerned with the integration of informal language learning into university language modules in a foreign language environment. It begins by exploring the evolving nature of formal and informal language learning. This is followed by analysis of a pedagogic innovation intended to integrate foreign language activities in an informal university space shared by domestic and international students into formal German and Spanish language modules in an anglophone context. The initiative is evaluated within an action research framework using the following research instruments: student attendance data, reflective reports, end-of-module student surveys and a collaborative debrief with two language tutors. The results indicate that the explicit integration of informal language learning into formal language modules increases student engagement with informal language learning, provides opportunities for oral practice in particular, and supports the development of language learner autonomy. While care must be taken to ensure that the informal nature of the informal language learning experience is retained using low stakes assessment and a fluid, flexible, student-led pedagogical approach, the findings indicate that the explicit integration of informal language learning activities into formal language learning has the potential to expand the personal learning environment of the foreign language learner to their benefit.

Exploring the Writing Process of Multilingual Postsecondary Students

With an increasingly multilingual population made up of domestic and international students at Canadian universities, there is a knowledge gap about the writing practices of multilingual students and the needs of multilingual academic writers. In order to address this knowledge gap, more research is required about the writing process of multilingual postsecondary students in Canada. The purpose of this study was to learn in detail about the writing process of multilingual postsecondary students in a mid-sized university in eastern Canada. A qualitative methodology consisting of semi-structured interviews was followed. A small sample size of seven participants consisted of young adults enrolled at the bachelors or graduate level who were recruited through posters on campus. The interviews were transcribed, coded holistically, and thematically analyzed using software. Themes reveal the writing process, prescriptive instruction and adherence to rules, planning prior to writing, prior knowledge of academic writing, and experience versus inexperience in writing. The meta-themes were continua of agency/following instructions, experience/inexperience, and explicit teaching/finding their own methods Secondary findings highlight the impact of instructor feedback on learner attitudes and English language learners’ need for extra time to develop their academic English. Additional findings show that multilingual postsecondary students use translanguaging as a strategic tool when composing in English. These findings offer insights into the translingual writing process of multilingual postsecondary students.

Support Services for International Graduate Students at Makerere University

Makerere University is focused on being a research-led university, which necessitates it embrace an internationalisation agenda to fit into the global research network. There is a need to boost the number of international graduate students to help Makerere University realise her vision. This qualitative study explores how international graduate students are supported at Makerere University. The following objective guided it: to explore how international graduate students are supported at Makerere University. The study was anchored in the interpretivism world view, subscribing to the transcendental phenomenology of Edmund Husserl to uncover the support given to international graduate students. Eight international graduate students at Makerere University were interviewed and selected from different academic disciplines categorised according to Becher and Biglan's classification of academic disciplines. Both unstructured interviews and documentary check data generation strategies were used in this study. Data analysis followed a thematic approach whereby various forms of support were provided to international graduate students at Makerere University, and how it is provided was identified. It was concluded that those international graduate students received non-academic and academic support at Makerere University. This study recommends that Makerere University Management provide financial, human, and physical resources to the International Office as ways of facilitating international graduate students to complete their study programs and attracting many more to join the University. The International Office may work with the Office of the Dean of Students to organise events for graduate students to facilitate interactions between international and domestic students, and they may also put in place peer mentors for new international graduate students to foster a sense of community. This study recommends that the International Office work very closely with the schools in the different Colleges of Makerere University, especially establishing a desk officer in each of the Dean's Office to handle issues of international students as this may improve their numbers at Makerere University. Finally, the university management should strengthen and streamline the activities of the International Office at Makerere University

Predictors of Rape Myth Acceptance Among South Asian Students in Canada.

Transmission of rape myths is expected in every culture, yet limited research exists on rape myth acceptance (RMA) within global South Asian (SA) diasporas. We examined whether gender, attitudes toward gender roles, and patriarchal beliefs contributed to RMA among young SA adults in Canada. An ethnically diverse sample of 116 (ages 17-25) students, comprising equal numbers of men and women and domestic and international students, completed an online survey. SA students were generally egalitarian with low RMA similar to the majority of North American samples. As predicted, male gender, traditional attitudes towards SA women, and patriarchal beliefs were strong predictors of RMA.

Values of academic integrity in higher medical education.

Aim: The aim is to identify features of theoretical and empirical research of academic integrity as characteristics of the educational environment of medical higher education institution (hereinafter - HEI). Materials and Methods: A complex of general scientific methods: logical-analytical, dialectical, theoretical-logical, comparative analysis, formalization and generalization, as well as quantitative sociological methods for collecting, processing and analyzing information. The object of the pilot empirical study were domestic medical students of full-time education at the Bogomolets NMU (N=472) and scientific and pedagogical staff who provide teaching of fundamental, specialized and socio-humanitarian disciplines at the university (N=153). Results: The values of academic integrity are the moral guideline that reveals the latest ethical demands of society and regulates the educational and scientific activities of all participants in the educational process. Opinions on the primary responsibility for compliance with the rules of academic integrity of a student differ between the surveyed scientific and pedagogical staff and students (p=0.000): the vast majority of the surveyed scientific and pedagogical staff tend to evenly divide the responsibility between a teacher and a student, and the majority of students-respondents noted that the student bears the primary responsibility. Conclusions: Commitment to the principles of integrity motivates both students and teaching staff to act in an academic manner. Therefore, the creation of a methodology for studying the phenomenon of academic integrity in medical higher education institution through the study of attitude of the subjects of educational process to basic values is promising.

Explaining fear of crime among university students: A comparison between national and international students in Istanbul

Past studies have highlighted the importance of studying the fear of crime among international students. Interestingly, though, most of this research has been in developed societies and has not directly compared international and indigenous/national students. To fill this gap, the current study aims to examine the determinants of fear of crime among domestic and international students in Turkey. Drawing upon a survey of 377 international students and 579 national university students studying in Istanbul, Turkey, during the Fall 2019 semester, the study finds that international students mostly feared being cheated or ‘conned’. In contrast, for the domestic students the threat from physical attack was of most concern. The results also indicate that among all gender groups for international and domestic students, female international students reported higher levels of fear of crime than all other sub-groups.

국내 외국인 유학생의 문화적응 스트레스와 우울의 관계에서 사회적지지의 매개효과 연구

The purpose of this study is to determine the mediating effect of social support in the relationship between acculturative stress and depression among international students in Korea. A total of 125 domestic international students from 14 different countries were targeted. The survey results were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 program. As a result of setting social support as a mediating variable and analyzing it, recognition of discrimination and rejection and hate among the independent variables, and family support and support from friends among the mediating variables showed significant results. And given that the effect of the independent variable in step 2 was larger than that in step 3, social support appeared to have a partial mediating effect in the relationship between depression and acculturation stress.

Психічне здоров’я студентів медиків в умовах пандемії COVID-19

Introduction. The article focuses on the importance of studying the mental health of medical students. It specifically compares the mental well-being of domestic and foreign students, highlighting cultural and educational differences that impact their mental health. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, stress and anxiety levels among students, especially in the medical field, have increased, making this study highly relevant. The article proposes the development of a psychocorrection program to maintain and improve mental health using proven approaches and techniques adapted to medical education and student life. This program can be easily integrated into the educational process to effectively reduce psychological stress, prevent serious mental disorders and improve the mental health of students. Materials and methods. 185 higher education students were surveyed, including: 94 domestic students (main group) and 91 foreign students (comparison group). Both groups were from the Bogomolets National Medical University. The following methods were used in the study: ADNM-20, HADS, CSE, FPI, NSI, SF-36, CD-RISC, DERS. The following methods of statistical data processing were used in your work: descriptive statistics to summarize demographic and other basic characteristics of the groups, such as mean values (μ ± SD), percentages, and number of participants in each group. t-test for independent samples to compare the mean values between two groups of students (domestic and foreign) on different psychological scales. The Mann-Whitney U-test was also used to test for statistical differences between two independent groups when the data distribution did not follow a normal pattern. Pearson's correlation coefficient to analyze the relationships between different psychological and demographic variables in domestic and international students. Effect size analysis to assess the practical significance of the identified statistical differences between the groups. We have additionally performed a regression analysis. Results. Findings from recent research have shown that international students experience notably higher levels of stress, anxiety, and adaptation difficulties in comparison to their domestic counterparts. It is widely believed that these challenges are due, in large part, to the additional pressure of cultural adaptation and language barriers. To tackle this issue, a psychocorrection program has been proposed, with a specific focus on medical students. The program aims to use cognitive-behavioural interventions to enhance resilience and emotional regulation, with the ultimate goal of mitigating psychological distress and improving overall mental well-being.

DEVELOPMENT OF PRACTICAL SKILLS IN FOREIGN STUDENTS DURING EDUCATION AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PROPEDEUTICS OF SURGICAL DENTISTRY

The goal of higher education is to produce highly qualified, competitive young professionals capable of innovation, self-improvement, and continuous development. The assimilation of theoretical material, the ability to analyze, search and process the received information are definitely important goals, however, the content of medical education cannot be reduced to only theoretical knowledge, but must ensure the mastery of practical skills. Considering the fact that the education of foreign students is carried out in a distance format due to the military situation in the country, mastering practical skills by these students has certain difficulties.
 Therefore, the analysis of the problems and prospects of the formation of practical skills among foreign students at the department of propaedeutics of surgical dentistry is currently one of the most urgent issues.
 The principle of mastering practical skills is laid down in the standards of higher dental education: educational and qualification characteristics, educational and professional program and is checked by standardized means of assessing theoretical knowledge and skills – "KROK-2. Dentistry", as well as during objective structured clinical examination in dentistry.
 Theoretical knowledge is checked during practical classes. They are carried out both by testing students and by oral interview, as well as practice of practical skills, which can be provided by working on phantoms, as well as participation in the examination and clinical analysis of patients in the clinical room.
 During face-to-face training, students visit the clinical room together with the teacher, participate in management patients, filling out medical documentation, assist, describe radiographs, and have the opportunity to choose anesthesia and tools for tooth extraction. The teacher demonstrates various manipulations, commenting and explaining each of them. After that, students practice practical skills on cranium, jaws, dummies, repeating after the teacher or with his help. Foreign students forced to study remotely do not have such opportunities, so we decided to create conditions close to real ones for them. The use of a laptop in the WiFi network allows you to use it in the clinical room and, in the same way as domestic students, demonstrate patient management: survey, inspection, basic methods of examination, choice of anesthesia and tools. However, the small area of the operating field, especially during intraoral interventions, does not provide a sufficient view when using a laptop and does not allow the teacher to show this or that surgical intervention in detail. To solve this problem, we use a phone that we synchronize with a laptop. The phone serves as a camera, which allows you to take a detailed picture of the operating field and broadcast the image to the screen for students. Thus, conditions become close to real ones. Students see all stages of surgical intervention with the teacher's explanation, have the opportunity to participate in the discussion during the patient's appointment. Demonstration of manipulation by the teacher is the first step to mastering practical skills. Unfortunately, remotely, students cannot practice and demonstrate skills, but an excellent command of theoretical material and an understanding of the necessary actions will help students in their assimilation in the future. Further, during classes to consolidate the material, a step-by-step discussion of operative interventions is carried out, which allows to interest and involve all present students in the discussion and to check the level of students' knowledge.
 Unfortunately, teachers are only able to visualize and comment in detail on the performing of certain manipulations. However, even a partial solution of this component in the form of justification and demonstration of the algorithm creates a stable argument for further study of surgical stomatology, and achievement of the ultimate goals of training a dentist.

Study Abroad at an Ontario College: Towards More Accessible and Inclusive Programming

Despite Canada’s success in attracting international students to its postsecondary campuses, it sends very few domestic students abroad, and especially so from its college sector. This paper offers a brief overview of Canada’s policy approach to study abroad, literature review on students’ participation in study abroad, and outcomes of a study on students’ (perceived) barriers at a college in Ontario, Canada. Students at the college were surveyed to examine their attitudes towards study abroad participation and their perceived barriers regarding study abroad. The study found that students were overwhelmingly interested in study abroad but perceived strong barriers to participation, findings which are consistent with the literature: financial, academic, social/familial barriers, and accessibility, safety, and support concerns. These findings suggest that through expansion of national programming, coordination of provincial strategy, and inclusive, accessible policies and programming at the institutional level, more college students will be able to receive the many documented benefits of study abroad experiences.

The Chain of Cultural Disdain: Demystifying the Patterns of Intercultural Interactions on University Campuses in China

Extant research has explored practices and challenges for developing intercultural interactions on campus, but there is limited work on how cultural disdain has affected the development of intercultural interaction between domestic and international students. Drawing on interviews with 25 international students and 14 Chinese students in two Chinese universities, this study reveals that China's social history of intercultural encounters and internationalisation, together with people's individual intercultural experiences have fuelled Chinese students’ perceptions of the superiority of English language and Anglo-Saxon culture. While Chinese students prioritise communication with peers who are English native speakers, they tend to develop deeper intercultural friendships with students from non-Anglo-Saxon countries. This study uses the theory of cultural disdain to interpret the complex dynamics of intercultural interaction on campuses. It argues that Chinese universities need to increase cultural diversity and foster equality between different cultural groups in order to promote fruitful intercultural interactions for all students.

Cultivating translingual and transcultural competence in a multilingual university

ABSTRACT Globalisation and its sibling, internationalisation, have led to the development of multilingual, multicultural universities, which are often branded as pathways to global success. However, these universities may not adequately consider the challenges that stakeholders face in adapting to these new environments. This paper investigates the implications of internationalisation for policy, pedagogy and practice by surveying policy, faculty, staff, and students of three multilingual programmes at a Spanish university. A document analysis, questionnaire, interviews, and focus groups were used to explore institutional strategy, student identity and agency, teacher pedagogy and practice, and staff guidance and support. The study applied a translingual and transcultural competence lens that focused on critical awareness, reflexivity, and the ability to operate between languages and cultures while building relationships. The findings reveal a strong programmatic focus on multilingual and intercultural development, a wide range of plurilingual and pluricultural identification and practices among students, the centrality of a teacher's role in facilitating and modelling translingual and transcultural competence, and a presently underexplored at-home/abroad nexus. The study implies a need for more community building beyond the classroom and across domestic and international students, greater empowerment of teachers, and a need for students to reflect and engage with each other.

Intergroup contact in Japan: An exploration of direct, E-contact, and mass-mediated modalities among Japanese and international students

This study explored relationship between intergroup contact and willingness to interact with each other among Japanese and international students in Japan, focusing on three contact modalities: direct, E-contact, and mass-mediated contact, from perspectives of both groups. The research identified unique relationships between contact types and intergroup anxiety and common ingroup identity as mediating variables. Key findings include (1) divergent paths between all three contact modalities with intergroup anxiety and common ingroup identity, (2) a more pronounced link between positive contact and interaction willingness among Japanese students, and (3) the dominance of positive over negative contact in predicting interaction willingness. Exceptions to the latter two findings were also explored. The study’s nuanced insights offer valuable contributions to the field, guiding effective strategies in improving intergroup attitudes among domestic and international students.

Sources of stress among domestic and international students: a cross-sectional study of university students in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ABSTRACT High perceived stress is associated with psychological and academic difficulties among college students. In this study, we aimed to investigate associations of student status (international vs domestic student in the Netherlands) with eight common sources of stress (i.e., financial, health, love life, relationship with family, relationship with people at work/ school, the health of loved ones, other problems of loved ones, and life in general). Participants were 2,196 college students (domestic: n = 1,642, international: n = 554) from two universities in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to estimate associations of student status with all eight sources of stress. Student status was significantly associated with higher levels of perceived stress in almost all life domains. International student status was significantly associated with higher perceived stress in the domains of financial situation and health of loved ones after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and other sources of stress. Findings highlight that several differences exist in the magnitude of perceived stress in certain areas between international and domestic students in the Netherlands. Consequently, it is essential to uncover the different needs of college students and develop specific strategies to deliver the most suitable services.

초급 교재 피아노 테크닉 분석 연구

The purpose of this paper is to understand technique teaching methods and textbook literature by comparing and analyzing the beginner piano techniques of Piano Adventure, Piano Academia, Magic Finger Piano, which are domestic and foreign piano textbooks using a parallel reading approach. For the study, based on three references piano teaching strategies for 21st century teachers, successful piano teaching methods, and general theory of piano pedagogy, the study categorizes 10 techniques within the beginner learning goals. Next, the beginner techniques for each textbook are analyzed into the 10 types above. As a result, it was found that 7-8 techniques were evenly distributed through the three characteristic techniques icons, and that other techniques were classified as additional techniques and intermediate techniques. Accordingly, though detailed comparison and analysis, similar techniques are grouped and supplementary and characteristic techniques are selected. It will expand the range of technique education and textbook selection for domestic piano teachers and students who rely on Bayer.

The Sociocultural Depression Factors among International Student and Domestic Student

This paper delves into the multifaceted realm of depression symptoms and impact factors among university students, specifically examining the differential impacts on international and domestic students. The escalating prevalence of depression disorder within the student population necessitates an in-depth analysis of the factors that contribute to these symptoms. The characteristics that differentiate these student subgroups, including cultural background, acculturation, racial discrimination, and interpersonal relationships, are explored as integral components shaping their susceptibility to depression. By examining the unique challenges faced by both international and domestic students, this paper aims to explore the distinctive dynamics that underlie depression symptom development. Through a comprehensive literature review, the paper delves into how acculturative stress and racial discrimination as depression factors play among international students, while also investigating the role of racial discrimination and interpersonal relationships in domestic students. The implications of the findings highlight the necessity for enhancing mental health support, the needs of international student helping orientation, anti-racial discrimination education, and the creation of an inclusive university environment that satisfies the diverse needs of all students. Future research should further explore on the patient with multi-cultural background, examine the differences of depression symptoms and the efficiency of therapeutic strategies based on cultural variation.

Canadian Universities in the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on university enrollments around the world and caused significant challenges for students. This study examined how Canadian universities responded to the financial impacts of the pandemic on international and domestic students and how these responses differed. This work involved the identification and collection of public statements issued by selected Canadian universities during the first two years of the pandemic. This consisted of about 14,000 items posted on university public websites. Under the broad framework of the ecological theory of inclusion, an emergent theme content analysis was used to examine and organize data. This analysis confirmed that there was far less financial assistance provided to international students, and the amount of assistance provided to them was significantly disproportionate to the overall revenues generated by their enrollment at Canadian institutions.

The Impact of ChatGPT on the Learning Efficacy of Chinese College Students

With the popularization of online autonomous learning and the development of artificial intelligence, more and more students are starting to use ChatGPT to assist learning. Research gaps exist in understanding the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), ChatGPT, and education. Based on reviewing relevant literature from domestic and foreign scholars, the authors combine quantitative and qualitative research methods to explore the relationship between the usage of ChatGPT and the learning efficacy of Chinese college students. A total of 113 questionnaires were collected, and 100 valid questionnaires were obtained through screening eventually. The empirical results show that: looking up information, doing coursework and assisting with dissertation writing were common functions for college students to use ChatGPT; The impact of ChatGPT on the learning efficacy of domestic college students was relatively positive, but it was not yet significant; The frequency of using ChatGPT among college students of different genders showed significant differences, and the frequency of using ChatGPT among college students of different grades showed significant differences. Through interviews with 3 out of 100 students, the following conclusion was drawn: they generally believed that ChatGPT was more useful in solving difficult problems and could help them achieve success.

The Value and Impact of the Fudan University Appalachian State University Librarian Exchange: Perceptions of Participating Librarians

This case study describes the value and impact of the ten-year Fudan-Appalachian Library Exchange Program ((FALEP)). Beginning in 2008, seven librarians from Fudan University and five librarians from Appalachian State University had the opportunity to explore library operations and service provision; learn from colleagues; investigate solutions to common problems; engage in scholarship together; and experience another culture. Librarians found that the exchange experience had a huge impact on their professional and personal lives as they learned to live in a different culture and work in another library system. The exchange program equipped participating librarians with global perspectives, intercultural skills, opportunities for cross-cultural scholarship, and new ideas that were then incorporated into their service provision and work with domestic and international students in their home libraries.