Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Turkish International Students in Japan: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The present study explores the cross-cultural adaptation of Turkish international students in Japan. The purpose of this study is to partially fill the gap in the literature by investigating Turkish international students’ perceptions and expectations while living in Japan. Another purpose of the study is to provide upcoming students with an overall understanding of what to expect when they choose to study at a university in Japan, and this study aims to provide universities with some implications of how to devise better support and facilities to aid international students with their transition stages. The study draws on data from semi-structured, in-depth interviews with Turkish students to identify the stressors, challenges, and problems they encounter during their cross-cultural transition in Japan. A total of 21 students (12 females and nine males) from Turkey who were in higher education or graduated from a university in Japan (one bachelor’s degree, two master’s students, one master’s degree, 11 PhD students, four PhD degrees and two postdoc degrees) volunteered to be interviewed for this study. Students ranged in age from 25 to 37 years with a mean age of 29.09 years (SD = 3.30). Each interview transcript was individually examined via qualitative analysis, aiming to develop or identify possible categories based on Grounded Theory Approach. The analysis resulted in different hierarchical levels of categories related to cross-cultural adaptation of Turkish international students. It is suggested that differences in collectivistic tendencies have influences on cross-cultural adaptation process.

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Author Information
Ayse Ilgin Sozen, Okayama University, Japan
Tomoko Tanaka, Okayama University, Japan
Sachiko Nakano, Yamaguchi University, Japan

• Category: Psychology and Education

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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