A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book

Rising to the Challenge: Case Study of International Student Acculturation




AuthorsTigert, Johanna M.; Fotouhi, Golnar; No, Lugyi; Marcucci, Susannah

EditorsHerridge, Andrew S.; James, Lisa J.

PublisherIGI Global Scientific Publishing

Publication year2026

Book title Rethinking Mobility, Access, and Belonging in International Higher Education

First page 149

Last page180

ISBN979-8-3373-4427-0

eISBN979-8-3373-4429-4

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-4427-0.ch006

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingNo Open Access

Publication channel's open availability No Open Access publication channel

Web address https://www.igi-global.com/gateway/chapter/406803

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/516210594

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

This qualitative study, part of a larger investigation of the international student (IS) experience at one U.S. university, focused on uncovering the cultural, social, academic, and linguistic acculturation practices of twenty ISs through focus groups and interviews. The findings show that ISs experience a myriad of complex challenges, from language barriers to new cultural norms, and that most of the practices they used to navigate their acculturation process were self-initiated rather than university-supported. The study highlights the agency of ISs in navigating their acculturation process and constitutes a call to action to higher education to strive to better meet the needs of this resourceful but neglected group of students.



Keywords:
higher educationInternationalisation of higher education

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Last updated on 10/08/2026 12:13:24 PM