Journal of University Studies

Journal of University Studies

A study on the social adjustment to university; Implications for enhancing persistence and retention of international students studying in Iran

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Author
Associate Professor, Department of Comparative Studies in Higher Education, Institute for Research & Planning in Higher Education, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
International student attraction, persistence and retention are important issues of internationalization of higher education. International students’ cultural and social experiences and their adjustment to the university during their studies are among the important factors that influence the international students' decisions to study in the host country. Thus, since social adjustment to the university is an important factor in predicting students' performance, achievement and success, and it is related to international student Persistence and retention, this research investigated the social adjustment of international students to the university. The research tool was a questionnaire that its validity confirmed based on the opinion of a group of experts and faculty members and its reliability confirmed by using the calculation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Then, it was distributed among the target group including international students at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels of public universities by random sampling method. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software and by conducting descriptive and inferential tests. The findings indicated a relatively favorable level of social adjustment of international students to the university. differences and similarities were observed between the level of social adjustment of students based on the variables of gender, marital status, educational level, academic background, residence in a dormitory, and residence history in Iran before starting tertiary education. The findings showed that undergraduate students reported a lower level of social adjustment than master and doctoral students. Also, the findings showed that individual factors, interactions, administrative services, and counseling services were the factors affecting the social adjustment of international students to the university. The results showed that the interaction factor has the largest contribution to explaining the variables. Based on the research findings and emphasizing the importance of the social adjustment of international students to the university, suggestions were presented to enhance the social adjustment of students; such as holding cultural and social festivals with the participation of international students and making the university counseling center more active in providing psychological, academic, and life counseling services to international students in Iran. Also, it was recommended to trace the persistence and retention rate of international students and the effective factors; so in line with the country's development programs, more international students can be attracted and retained in Iranian higher education.
Keywords

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Volume 2, Issue 2 - Serial Number 6
Winter 2024
Winter 2024
Pages 137-162

  • Receive Date 14 August 2023
  • Revise Date 01 November 2023
  • Accept Date 06 December 2023