On-line poster presentation (non-members eligible if recommended by a SIETAR member) How to Improve Programs Supporting International Students’ Adjustment in Japanese Universities more

Sun, Nov 28, 12:30-14:20 Asia/Tokyo

With the increasing number of foreign students in Japan, the universities’ ability to provide adequate support in intercultural adaptation must be discussed. However, this topic has rarely been addressed in previous studies. Hence, this study examined the academic and sociocultural adaptation challenges faced by international students, along with the condition of international student adjustment programs offered in the Japanese universities. It aims to make recommendations for improving the existing adjustment programs and to give suggestion for future adjustment programs in Japanese Universities. A mixed methods research design was applied in this study. The researchers used a quantitative survey of international students studying in Japanese universities, followed by semi-structured interviews. The questionnaire was divided into four sections: 1) International students’ personal information; 2) International students’ adjustment in Japan; 3) International Students’ adjustment programs in Japanese universities; and 4) Suggestions for the future. The questionnaires were distributed to international students studying in universities in Japan, and 155 usable responses were gathered from students from 20 countries. The findings show that most of the international students have difficulty making friends with native speakers due to lack of opportunities and confidence in their knowledge of the Japanese language. When they encounter difficulties, they are more likely to seek help from other international students rather than from Japanese students. Furthermore, 52.9% of the students stated that their university provides sufficient support while another 47.2% did not entirely agree with this statement. Moreover, 62.4% of students still prefer to receive monthly or weekly support after they get used to university life. In conclusion, there is still room for improvement in the university support. One of the most important ways is to increase the opportunities and platforms for the international students to communicate with Japanese students.