Qualitative Assessment of the Experiences and Psychosocial Problems of International Students Studying in Türkiye

Yıl 2023, Cilt: 12 Sayı: 3, 858 - 869, 26.09.2023

Emre Çiydem , Fatemeh Taravati Gharalar

https://doi.org/10.37989/gumussagbil.1320700

Öz

International students may have more difficulties than domestic students from the regions of their home countries. This study aims to qualitatively assess the experiences and psychosocial problems of international students studying in Turkey. The convinience sample of the study in the descriptive phenomenological research design was 50 students. Data were collected using the focus group interview. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA package program according to Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis steps. Participants' experiences and psychosocial problems were divided into 3 themes: Developmental Opportunities, Needs, and Adaptation Problems. It was found that being an international student helps students acquire social capital and identity. It was found that students have needs related to peer mentoring, language learning, socioeconomic opportunities, and the acculturation process. Students were found to have adjustment problems due to culture shock, prejudice, and discrimination. To overcome the difficulties in bureaucratic procedures, it is recommended that commissions for international students be established at the university and departmental levels. In order to facilitate the adaptation of students and improve the quality of education, it is recommended that the language learning period be extended. It is also suggested that scholarship and housing opportunities for Turkish students be extended to international students. It is recommended that universities, faculties, and departments create academic adjustment programmes and printed guides to facilitate the acculturation process of international students. Contact-oriented activities that bring the community, academics, and domestic students together with international students should reduce prejudice and discrimination.

Anahtar Kelimeler

International Students, Psychosocial Problems, Qualitative Study

Destekleyen Kurum

TÜBİTAK

Proje Numarası

1919B012201979

Teşekkür

Thanks to Research Assistant Dr. Ozlem KACKIN for controlling the encoding of the data.

Türkiye’de Öğrenim Gören Uluslararası Öğrencilerin Deneyimleri ve Yaşadıkları Psikososyal Sorunların Niteliksel Olarak Değerlendirilmesi

Öz

Uluslararası öğrenciler, kendi ülkelerindeki bölgelerden gelen yerli öğrencilere kıyasla daha fazla zorlukla karşılaşabilirler. Bu çalışmada Türkiye’de öğrenim gören uluslararası öğrencilerin deneyimleri ve yaşadıkları psikososyal sorunların niteliksel olarak değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Tanımlayıcı fenomenolojik araştırma desendeki araştırmanın amaçlı örneklemini 50 öğrenci oluşturdu. Veriler odak grup görüşmesi tekniği kullanılarak toplandı. Veriler Colaizzi’nin fenomenolojik analiz basamaklarına göre MAXQDA paket programı kullanılarak değerlendirildi. Katılımcıların deneyimleri ve yaşadıkları psikososyal sorunlar gelişim fırsatları, gereksinimler ve uyum sorunları olmak üzere 3 tema altında toplandı. Uluslararası öğrenci olmanın sosyal sermaye ve kimlik kazanma sürecinde öğrencilere yardımcı olduğu belirlendi. Öğrencilerin akran yönderliği, dil öğrenme, sosyoekonomik olanaklar ve kültürleşme sürecine ilişkin gereksinimlerinin olduğu belirlendi. Öğrencilerin kültür şoku, önyargı ve ayrımcılığa bağlı uyum sorunları yaşadığı belirlendi. Bürokratik işlemlerde yaşanan zorlukların üstesinden gelebilmek için üniversite ve bölüm düzeyinde uluslararası öğrenci komisyonlarının kurulması önerilmektedir. Öğrencilerin uyumunu kolaylaştırmak ve eğitimin niteliğini artırmak için dil öğrenme süresinin uzatılması önerilmektedir. Bunun yanı sıra, Türk öğrencilere yönelik burs ve barınma olanaklarının uluslararası öğrencileri de kapsayacak şekilde genişletilmesi önerilmektedir. Üniversite, fakülte ve bölümlere uluslararası öğrencilerin kültürleşme sürecini kolaylaştıracak akademik uyum programlarını ve basılı rehberleri oluşturması önerilmektedir. Toplum, akademisyenler ve yerli öğrencilerin uluslararası öğrencilerle bir araya getirildiği temasa dayalı müdahalelerin önyargı ve ayrımcılığı azaltacağı düşünülmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Niteliksel Çalışma, Psikososyal Sorunlar, Uluslararası Öğrenciler

Proje Numarası

1919B012201979

Kaynakça

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