Twelfth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Increased cultural diversity in global higher education settings requires students’ intercultural sensitivity to adapt to the unfamiliar environment, and international students’ experiences have been investigated regarding academic and sociocultural aspects. The issues of socialization for international students into new cultural-educational environments at the pre-transition stage of study abroad impacts on their learning process overseas;this research contributes a conceivable model for the pre-transition segment of cross-cultural adaptation. The aim of this model is to assist students in meeting all university requirements pertaining to study abroad and provide a pre-departure orientation. The fulfillment of personal goals is the target and international students’ studies abroad affords exposure to diverse settings and is a catalyst for their cross-cultural understanding in the age of globalization which allows them to embrace interconnectedness and interdependence. In this study, the researcher invites Japanese students who attend a host university in Japan to participate in an international student exchange program, or for those who plan to study abroad on a short-term basis to participate in the pre-transition stage of the program regarding the cross-cultural adaptation process. A ethnomethodological approach will apply for this study and also combine with a narrative research inquiry which relies on five research instruments: in-person recorded interviews, classroom observations, school activities’ observations, an online survey, and participatory logs. The findings of this research may inspire educators and encourage staff working for international student programs to speculate about how their students adapt overseas experiences to their learning processes and to the new environment.