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Impacts of Studying in a Different Cultural Environment: Graduate International Students' Perceptions

Akinkugbe, Morayo Omosalewa

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Education (MEd), Bowling Green State University, Curriculum and Teaching.
Stories reveal that people raised in a particular culture have always journeyed to other cultures/places with the aim of trading, learning, teaching, or converting others. Even though, in the olden days, the ability to travel more than a few miles from an individual's place of origin was not common and considered a special opportunity, over time, this has evolved (Bochner, 2006). Technological advancements, legal regulation changes, and rise in natural/ human-made disasters have contributed to the constant growth in the ability for individuals to migrate from their national/ethnic boundaries (Bochner, 2006) making cross-cultural contact a global experience. In this present society, individuals have experienced various levels of cultural impact by being temporary residents or members of a society that receives temporary residents. Although cross-cultural contact is dominant in the society, it does not make it easy to deal with (Sumer, 2009). In other words, coping and adjusting to new a new cultural learning environment is challenging for international students. The purpose of this research was to review, analyze and qualitatively investigate how graduate international students perceive the impacts of studying in a different cultural learning environment. The research question this study attempts to answer is how do graduate international students perceive studying in a different cultural environment impacts them? The participants in this study were graduate international students attending a Midwest American University. These students originated from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. The method of qualitative research that was utilized in this study is phenomenology. This research was conducted by administering an electronic demographic survey and scheduling interviews with a small subset of participants based on their responses to the survey so as to acquire enough qualitative data. The data was analyzed using thick descriptions and quotes to explain participants' perceptions about the phenomenon. Findings of the study revealed that graduate international students perceive that cultural differences, differences in learning environments and the host environment are the impacts of studying in a different cultural environment. In conclusion, recommendations for future research and implications were provided. Additionally, other areas of future research may include having a larger population sample and utilizing other research methods which accommodate the collection of more data.
John Fischer (Advisor)
Tracy Huziak-Clark (Committee Member)
Gabriel Matney (Committee Member)
84 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Akinkugbe, M. O. (2013). Impacts of Studying in a Different Cultural Environment: Graduate International Students' Perceptions [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1372069477

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Akinkugbe, Morayo. Impacts of Studying in a Different Cultural Environment: Graduate International Students' Perceptions. 2013. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1372069477.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Akinkugbe, Morayo. "Impacts of Studying in a Different Cultural Environment: Graduate International Students' Perceptions." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1372069477

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)