International students’ acculturation experience in the United States

Perceptions of the role of international students’ engagement in higher education institutions

Abstract

International students constitute a significant and growing population within higher education institutions worldwide. These students leave their home countries to pursue academic opportunities abroad, seeking to broaden their horizons, enhance their skills, and experience new cultures.  This qualitative study employed in-depth interviews to examine the acculturation process of these students and how they perceived the support services universities provide, and its impact on academic and social adjustment. The findings suggest that international students have a positive and mixed perception, regarding the role the Office of International Engagement (OIE) play in facilitating their acculturative process in a host culture.