International Student Adaptation Factors in Malaysian Public Universities

I R Ismail; Y S Yushriman; C H Che Noh; A L Ahmad; R Rashid

I R Ismail Pusat Pendidikan Asas dan Lanjutan, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia
Y S Yushriman Pusat Pendidikan Asas dan Lanjutan, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia
C H Che Noh Pusat Pendidikan Asas dan Lanjutan, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia
A L Ahmad Pusat Perhubungan Antarabangsa, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
R Rashid Pusat Pendidikan Asas dan Lanjutan, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia

Keywords: International Student, Adaptation, Public Universities

Abstract

The research focuses on the internationalization of Malaysia's Higher Education by ensuring that the increasing number of international students will be accommodated fairly. The issues addressed will revolve around the Psychological Factor with the Intercultural Adaptation Model by Kim Young Yun as the foundation. The model was used as the framework to focus on the psychological issue the international students experienced. Twelve international students were selected as respondents from four public universities in Malaysia: UPM, UKM, UM and USM as the main research area. This qualitative research used a semi-structured interview as the main instrument of data collection, online interview using WeBex and Google Meet were used. Respondents were selected using quota sampling with varying characteristics. Results were analysed by using the colour-coding technique assisted by ATLAS.ti. Although it is psychologically challenging, some of it is actually helping as a part of their life circle's support system, namely the presence of supportive classmates and support group.