臺灣高等教育國際研究生的跨文化調適與學習經驗之研究- 以國立暨南國際大學為例

Cross-Cultural Adjustment and Learning Experiences of International Graduate Students in Higher Education in Taiwan：A Case Study of National Chi Nan University

金舒兒(Doljinsuren Jigmedsenge)

指導教授 ： 蔡怡君

國立暨南國際大學/教育學院/諮商心理與人力資源發展學系 終身學習與人力資源發展碩士班/碩士(2019年)

摘要

As the global demand for international higher education continues to grow, educational internationalization has become a complex and expanding dimension of higher education. Taiwan, as a developed country, is committed to developing better international educational programs for its students and its institutions of higher education.
International students who come from various countries with different cultures, different experiences, and different educational systems, adjusting to Taiwanese cultural and educational environment may prove to be challenged with some difficulties.
This study examines cross-cultural adjustment and learning experiences of international graduate students in higher education in Taiwan, a case study of National Chi Nan University (NCNU).
This research seeks to discover the varieties of cross-cultural challenges happen to international graduate students at NCNU, how those difficulties affect them as students and how international graduate students adjust the challenges during their studying at university.
The main purpose of this study is to investigate international graduate students’ learning experiences of general, social interaction and academic adjustments at university. Data for the study are collected through in-depth interviews of six international graduate students. The participants chosen have been studying at NCNU for at least 1 year or more years. Snowball sampling is used in this study. This study includes master level and PhD level students. The following findings are found in the research result:
1. International graduate students’ culture shocks while studying in Taiwan include different social customs consisting of greetings, special religion customs, homesickness at the beginning of studying overseas, different living conditions, environment and language barriers.
2. International graduate students challenged by adjusting themselves to weather, home country cuisine, traffic, Chinese language, different education system, relationship with professors, making new friends and social support from university in Taiwan.
3. Three types of strategies which international graduate students use to adjust to Taiwanese culture include ways of coping with culture shock, to attend Chinese language programs offered by university, and build relationships with those from the same (home) country and host country.
4. Three specific supports which international graduate students need from the university include a tutor, Chinese language program, and cultural exchange activities.
5. International graduate students became an independent mature person upon the completion of their studies in Taiwan.
In light of the findings, this study ends with suggestions for international graduate students studying in Taiwan and suggestions for university to help international graduate students in their process of adjusting to the Taiwanese cultural and educational environment.
There are many international graduate students who face challenges as they pursue higher education outside of their home countries. The success of international studies in higher education depends on many factors, such as the adjustment to their new environment, academic pressure, language barriers and loneliness.

關鍵字

Cross-Cultural Adjustment ； Higher Education ； International Graduate Student ； Learning Experience

並列摘要

As the global demand for international higher education continues to grow, educational internationalization has become a complex and expanding dimension of higher education. Taiwan, as a developed country, is committed to developing better international educational programs for its students and its institutions of higher education.
International students who come from various countries with different cultures, different experiences, and different educational systems, adjusting to Taiwanese cultural and educational environment may prove to be challenged with some difficulties.
This study examines cross-cultural adjustment and learning experiences of international graduate students in higher education in Taiwan, a case study of National Chi Nan University (NCNU).
This research seeks to discover the varieties of cross-cultural challenges happen to international graduate students at NCNU, how those difficulties affect them as students and how international graduate students adjust the challenges during their studying at university.
The main purpose of this study is to investigate international graduate students’ learning experiences of general, social interaction and academic adjustments at university. Data for the study are collected through in-depth interviews of six international graduate students. The participants chosen have been studying at NCNU for at least 1 year or more years. Snowball sampling is used in this study. This study includes master level and PhD level students. The following findings are found in the research result:
1. International graduate students’ culture shocks while studying in Taiwan include different social customs consisting of greetings, special religion customs, homesickness at the beginning of studying overseas, different living conditions, environment and language barriers.
2. International graduate students challenged by adjusting themselves to weather, home country cuisine, traffic, Chinese language, different education system, relationship with professors, making new friends and social support from university in Taiwan.
3. Three types of strategies which international graduate students use to adjust to Taiwanese culture include ways of coping with culture shock, to attend Chinese language programs offered by university, and build relationships with those from the same (home) country and host country.
4. Three specific supports which international graduate students need from the university include a tutor, Chinese language program, and cultural exchange activities.
5. International graduate students became an independent mature person upon the completion of their studies in Taiwan.
In light of the findings, this study ends with suggestions for international graduate students studying in Taiwan and suggestions for university to help international graduate students in their process of adjusting to the Taiwanese cultural and educational environment.
There are many international graduate students who face challenges as they pursue higher education outside of their home countries. The success of international studies in higher education depends on many factors, such as the adjustment to their new environment, academic pressure, language barriers and loneliness.

並列關鍵字

Cross-Cultural Adjustment ； Higher Education ； International Graduate Student ； Learning Experience

參考文獻

Abe, H & Wiseman, R.L. (1983). A cross-cultural confirmation of the dimensions of intercultural effectiveness. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 7, 5-67.

Adler, P. S. (1975). The transitional experience: An alternative view of culture shock. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 15, 13-23.

Al-Mubarak, A. H. (2000). Adjustment problems, coping methods, and choice of helpers of international students attending a large Pennsylvania university. Dissertation Abstracts International, 61, 1-A.

Andrade, M. S. (2006b). International students in English - speaking universities: Adjustment factors. Journal of Research in International Education, 5 (2), 131 - 154.

Black, J.S. (1988). Work role transitions: A study of American expatriate managers in Japan. Journal of International Business Studies, 19 (2), 277-294.