Shocked but not in Despair
An Exploration of Challenges and Adjustment Strategies of International Students at the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brazil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25749/sis.44177Keywords:
international students' challenges, transition challenges, transition adjustment, students' coping strategiesAbstract
The expansion of and access to education in Brazil has also been extended to international students. This opportunity has brought about several challenges, leading to discrepancies between these students’ expectations and experiences. This study adopted a qualitative, phenomenological approach to explore their challenges and adaptation strategies. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with thirteen (13) international students and subjected to coding and thematic analysis. The findings reveal that international students face academic-linguistic, sociocultural, and financial challenges, while strategies such as self-help, interdependence, and institutional support serve as means of adaptation and of achieving their academic goals. The study recommends greater attention to aspects of support for international students’ adaptation at the university that have not yet been adequately addressed, as well as a reassessment of the internationalisation policies set out in the 2016–2026 Institutional Development Plan (PDI) of the Federal University of Santa Maria.
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