Theoretical models of culture shock and adaptation in international students in higher education

Yuefang Zhou, Divya Jindal-Snape, Keith Topping, John Todman

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    422 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Theoretical concepts of culture shock and adaptation are reviewed, as applied to the pedagogical adaptation of student sojourners in an unfamiliar culture. The historical development of ‘traditional’ theories of culture shock led to the emergence of contemporary theoretical approaches, such as ‘culture learning’, ‘stress and coping’ and ‘social identification’. These approaches can be accommodated within a broad theoretical framework based on the affective, behavioural and cognitive (ABC) aspects of shock and adaptation. This ‘cultural synergy’ framework offers a more comprehensive understanding of the processes involved. Implications for future research, policy and practice are explored
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)63-75
    Number of pages13
    JournalStudies in Higher Education
    Volume33
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2008

    Keywords

    • INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE
    • SOCIOCULTURAL ADJUSTMENT
    • FOREIGN-STUDENTS
    • FUNCTIONAL-MODEL
    • UNITED-STATES
    • ACCULTURATION
    • TRANSITIONS
    • DISTURBANCE
    • SOJOURNERS
    • NETWORKS

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