An analysis of the cultural adaptation processes of the Syrian refugee students in the formal education institutions (Gaziantep sample)

The aim of this research is to understand the cultural adaptation orientations of Syrian refugee students attending the formal education institutions. The theoretical background of the study is drawn from John Berry's 'Theory of Cultural Integration', and it is aimed to understand the effects of formal education offered to Syrian refugees on their cultural adaptation orientations, to be defined as integration, separation, assimilation and marginalization. The study adopted the theory-led instrumental case study design, as the qualitative research approach. The raw data were obtained through semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The study group consisted of 25 Syrian refugee students attending secondary education institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in Greater Gaziantep Province during the academic year 2020- 2021. Research findings were analyzed as 4 theme and 19 sub-themes. Findings revealed that reasons such as discrimination, co-education, language barriers and academic success anxiety seemed to have negatively affected the cultural adaptation process; however, findings also revealed that social life, attending cultural activities in the target culture, highlighting common cultural values and positive behaviors encountered in daily life are believed to contribute positively to the cultural adaptation process. As a result participant students seemed be closing to the 'integration' modality as one of the acculturation strategies defined by Berry. Drawing on the results, some suggestions were made for policy makers and the future researchers. Keywords: Syrian, Refugee, Acculturation, Adaptation, Education