Psychological, socio-cultural, and academic adaptation of international students in higher education in Turkey

Purpose: Nowadays, traveling abroad for educational purposes has become a common phenomenon. For many countries, this not only serves as a source of income but also as a way to promote their culture and language. Every year, millions of students leave their home countries to pursue education abroad, and this number continues to increase. The aim of this study is to examine the psychological, sociocultural, and academic adaptation of international students studying in various departments at Eskişehir Osmangazi University, and to determine their perceptions regarding this adaptation process. Method: This research, which focuses on the adaptation of international students, is a convergent parallel mixed-methods study. In order to identify the sociocultural, academic, and psychological challenges faced by international students, several scales were developed and administered to 2,485 international students studying at Eskişehir Osmangazi University. The quantitative data were analyzed using statistical techniques. In the qualitative part of the study, face-to-face interviews were conducted with university students. Findings: The findings revealed that students' demographic characteristics, especially education level and regional background, significantly influence their adaptation processes. It was observed that sociocultural adaptation had a negative effect on subdimensions such as academic principles, sociocultural adjustment at the university, and academic life. Cultural similarities and Turkish language proficiency emerged as key facilitators of the adaptation process. In terms of academic adaptation, students' criticisms regarding the education system should be taken into account. Regarding psychological adaptation, feelings of loneliness and stress were noted, and it was observed that participation in social activities helps alleviate these issues. Conclusion and Recommendations: The quantitative findings highlight the importance of addressing international students' adaptation processes from both academic and social perspectives. The qualitative findings emphasize the need to develop more comprehensive support programs for international students. In particular, enhancing academic and psychological support services could accelerate their adaptation and improve their overall educational experience. Keywords: International Students, Academic Adaptation, Psychological Adaptation, Sociocultural Adaptation, Higher Education, Acculturation.