Cultural shock, self-efficiency, life satisfaction and adaptation strategies of international students: A mixed method research

The aim of the study was to examine the culture shock, self-effıcacy, life satisfaction, and adaptation strategies of foreign university students. This research conducted in a state-based university by using a mixed embedded holistic case study. In the first phase of the research, 13 international students were interviewed. NVivo package program was used to analyze qualitative data. In the second stage of the study, a questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. Quantitative data were analyzed using different descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS-20 package program. As findings, firstly, regarding the factors that influence the international students' choice of Akdeniz University/Turkey as a country/as the place of learning, winning scholarships was the most important factor. As the second aim, it has been discovered that the first stage of international students regarding the personal experiences of international students at Akdeniz University was characterized by a sense of excitement. Third, most students stated that they experienced culture shock as described by Oberg (1960). Fourth, when evaluated as a whole, it can be said that the self-efficacy levels of international students studying at Akdeniz University had a positive opinion at the level moderately true agree. Fifth, they argue that it is a bit difficult when looking at the adaptation levels of international students to sociocultural processes. As the seventh goal of this study, self-efficacy, students' length of stay in Turkey, and adaption to sociocultural processes were likely to be a significant predictor of students' overall culture shock. As the eighth goal of this study, it was seen that students' adaptation to sociocultural processes was an important predictor of students' life satisfaction. Finally, the strategies suggested by international students to cope with cultural differences and shocks are as follows: Make friends with foreigners and Turks, be optimistic, show effort, master the language, travel to touristic places, prepare well before going abroad, come abroad for graduate education, should never get involved in politics.