Abstract:

The rapidly growing number of Chinese and Arabic students in Russian Universities require the institution to provide comfortable multicultural educational environment for both domestic and international students. During the adaptation process, international students face a variety of challenges regarding new academic environment, cultural and social life. Despite an increased interest in international student adaptation, there is still a little research about cultural adaptation of Chinese and Arabic students at Russian universities. The purpose of the study is to explore the experience of Chinese and Arabic students on Russian campus (South Ural State University) and to reveal the cultural, social, and educational challenges international students face during their adaptation process. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with Arabic students and Chinese students at South Ural State University, then transcribed and analyzed. The data leads to the following three themes: academic, cultural, and social challenges which international students experience on the campus of South Ural State University throughout their adaptation process. Based on the data, the new initiatives of cultural program adaptation were proposed. By gathering and analyzing the data we are able to provide recommendations for effective communication between faculty and international students.

Keywords:

Adaptation, higher education, satisfaction, Arab students, Chinese students.