Wu, Wenli and Hammond, Michael, 1956-. (2011) Challenges of university adjustment in the UK : a study of East Asian Master’s degree students. Journal of Further and Higher Education, Vol.35 (No.3). pp. 423-438. ISSN 0309-877X

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Abstract

This paper reports on the adjustment of East Asian Master’s level students who came to study at a campus-based university in the UK during 2004–05. International students face challenges in respect to language proficiency, academic expectations and social participation. In this longitudinal study the experiences of a group of students from East Asian countries were surveyed, with a sample of eight students from five countries tracked through regular interviews. The paper describes the level of satisfaction that students experienced and the challenges they faced. It was found that students largely enjoyed their sojourn and achieved satisfactory levels of academic success. They encountered ‘culture bumps’ rather than culture shock. Adjustment was facilitated by adequate preparation, appropriate academic attainment and satisfying levels of social participation with other international students. It is suggested that these students were experiencing an ‘international postgraduate student culture’ rather than integration into local culture.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education L Education > LF Individual institutions (Europe)
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Institute of Education
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	University of Warwick -- Foreign students -- Case studies, East Asians -- Education -- Great Britain -- Case studies, Graduate students, Foreign -- Great Britain -- Case studies, Student adjustment
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Further and Higher Education
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	0309-877X
Date:	2011
Volume:	Vol.35
Number:	No.3
Page Range:	pp. 423-438
Identification Number:	10.1080/0309877X.2011.569016
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/37571

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