Host country and reentry adjustment of student sojourners

doi:10.1016/0147-1767(91)90027-E

International Journal of Intercultural Relations

Volume 15, Issue 2, 1991, Pages 163-182

https://doi.org/10.1016/0147-1767(91)90027-E Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper is an examination of student sojourn expectations for and reactions after return from a college level study abroad program. It seeks to expand knowledge on one aspect of sojourn adaptation, namely adjustment/ satisfaction. Selected sojourner characteristics such as gender, age, location of program, and previous transition experience were shown to influence sojourn experience. In addition, the relationship between sojourner adjustment and sojourn communication with host nationals was explored; a high level of interaction yielded a higher degree of satisfaction. Reentry satisfaction was investigated in terms of the same selected sojourner and sojourn characteristics.

Résumé

Cet article est une étude des espérances d'étudiants lors d'un séjour à l'étranger et de leurs réactions aprés leur retour, suite d'un programme d'études dans une université étrangère. Il s'efforce d'élargir notre connaissance sur un des aspects de l'adaptation du séjour à savoir, la satisfaction de cette adaptation. Des caractéristiques choisies telles que le genre, l'âge, le lieu des cours de même style, tout cela a une influence certaine sur l'expérience du séjour. De plus on a étudié la relation entre l'ajustement au séjour et la communication avec les différents payshôtes; un niveau élevé d'interaction produisait un plus haut degré de satisfaction. On a étudié la satisfaction lors du retour dans les mêmes termes que ceux des “voyageurs” et de leur séjour, (author-supplied abstract)

Resumen

Este trabajo es un exámen de las expectaciones estudiantiles antes de viajar y las reacciones a la vuelta de los estudios en el extrangero a nivel universitario. Nuestro interés es ampliar el conocimiento en un aspecto de la adaptación del viajero, como por ejempio la satisfacción y adaptación. Caracteristicas especificas del viajero, como sexo, edad, localización del programa, y experiencia previa indicaron influir en la experiencia del viajero. Además, se exploró la relación entre la adaptación y comunicación del viajero con la población nativa; un mayor nivel de interacción produjo un mayor grado de satisfacción. La satisfacción del reencuentro conel propio pais se investigó en base a las mismas caracteristicas especificas del viajero y del viaje. (author-supplied abstract)

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Similar results were found by studies in the South American context, where the collectivism and power distance are quite similar to those in the Thai context (e.g. Brazilian graduates [Gama & Pedersen, 1977] and Peruvian postgraduates [Gaviria & Wintrob, 1982] returning from the USA). These studies disclosed perceptual changes of sojourners which cannot be simply explained by geographical distance and which reflect the characteristics of the countries and the cultural differences that affected the returnees' viewpoints (Rohrlich & Martin, 1991). As regards ‘disciplined society’, Thailand, being a developing economy and an upper-middle-income nation (United Nations [UN], 2014), has inferior infrastructure and facilities compared with those in the developed host countries, whose level of development is perceived as superior and whose society is better (systematically) organised.
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^☆: This research was partially supported by funds from the Division of International Programs at Syracuse University and the Office of International Education at the University of Minnesota.

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Host country and reentry adjustment of student sojourners☆

Abstract

Résumé

Resumen

International Journal of Intercultural Relations

International Journal of Intercultural Relations

International Journal of Intercultural Relations

International Journal of Intercultural Relations

International Journal of Intercultural Relations

The transitional experience: An alternative view of culture shock

Journal of Humanistic Psychology

The measurement of culture distance and its relationship to medical consultation, symptomatology and examination performance of overseas students at Edinburgh University

Social Psychiatry

Transition shock: Putting culture shock in perspective

Social statistics

The mediating man: Cultural interchange and transitional education

Intercultural communications and the adjustment of the sojourner

Psychology Bulletin

Transitions

Orientation programs for cross-cultural preparation

Cross-cultural encounters: Face-to-face interaction

U.S. students abroad

The effects of study abroad during college on attitudes towards other cultures

International Journal of Intercultural Relations

Sojourner adjustment

Psychological Bulletin

The sojourner: A continuing source of insight about cultural entry and re-entry

Paper presented at the meeting of the Speech Communication Association, Denver, CO (originally presented at the Philippine American Intercultural Conference, July 2, 1976

Sex-role strain and personality adjustment of China-born students in America: A pilot study

Journal of Abnormal Psychology

The adjustment of sojourners

Culture shock: Psychological reactions to unfamiliar environments

Readjustment problems of Brazilian returnees from graduate study in the U.S.

International Journal of Intercultural Relations

Statistical methods in education and psychology

Uncertainty and anxiety