The nature of international student's adjustment problems in a South African university : implications for international students and student administrators

Abstract

Research in the West has identified a number of adjustment problems for international students. This has helped student administrators in these countries and their international students to take informed measures that help make international student sojourn much bearable. Unfortunately, very little is known regarding international student adjustment issues in developing countries. This study examined data from 120 international students of a South African university in order to determine their adjustment challenges. Results suggest that respondents experienced numerous adjustment problems similar to those encountered internationally, thus global measures may be borrowed to mitigate problems common to South African universities.