Academic, Social, and Cultural Adaptation of International Students in Canada

Abstract

A growing number of students go abroad for studies, particularly to Canada. 21% of all Canadian tertiary students are international. They face a number of transitional difficulties. Thus, the question of their adequate integration in the host community is becoming very acute nowadays. The study highlights three types of international students’ adaptation: academic, social and cultural. The most typical challenges in each adaptation are identified and shortly described. Academic challenges include lack of language proficiency, different education values, interaction with the university faculty, staff and mates. Social issues for international students are living on- or off-campus, initial difficulties, independence and loneliness, relationship with domestic students and wider involving them into university life. Culturally, international students face the following challenges: culture shock, the lack of culture wellness. Thus, as demonstrated in this study, having a better understanding of these students’ academic challenges, university faculty and staff can recognize students’ needs and effectively offer supportive services. The university needs to be prepared to meet students not only academically but also socially and culturally. This study also describes the priorities in Canadian international education strategy that makes Canada one of the world’s top learning destinations.