Sojourner's Adaptation Process: Communication Factors to Succeed.

This research tried to discover the factors influenced international students’ adaptation to the new culture. The case study investigated international students – mainly consist of Asian origin students – studying in Western countries’ universities, for instance USA, Australia, and the UK. The question was answered in accordance with, Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, such as individualism-collectivism and power distance; and Gudykunst and Kim’s anxiety-uncertainty management theory. In accordance with ethics issue, the research obtained data from secondary research through synthesizing key information from peer-reviewed journals. Factors which influenced the adaptation process were found to be language barrier – experienced by international students and host students; differences in cultural values – which posed some problems; and social interaction and coping strategy – in accord with Oberg’s culture shock.

Keywords: international students, adaptation, cultural dimension, Asian students, culture shock