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Suggested Research Topics
by Kristin Tamblyn
2005
The following issues should be considered when conducting research or exploring the concerns of international students in the U.S. In my review, these topics have scarcely been covered and would benefit from more in-depth investigation.
- Impact of religion on adjusting/coping to a new lifestyle
- Why students from different regions (Africa, Caribbean, etc.) adapt to the U.S. culture differently
- Average length or progress of adaptation/acculturation in short-term and long-term SA programs
- Experiments using real stimuli rather than the usual surveys and interviews (ex. simulated stress environments or exposure to new obstacles)
- International students’ perceptions of gender (before studying abroad, during, and after)
- International students’ perspectives on American culture
- Influence that U.S. lifestyle has on worldview, traditional cultural values, and heritage of international students
- Why some students stay in the U.S. to further their education and why others leave
- Expectations and standards of international students from teachers and peers
- Expectations from international students about their professors and of themselves
- Stress/anxiety developed because of failing to meet their own standards of excellence
- Adaptive skills of international students compared to those of Americans
- Effect of media and entertainment on international students culture shock
- Source of strength in coping skills
- Pre and post designs in research
- Process of reentry back into foreign (original) countries
- Americans’ extent of global knowledge compared to international students’
- Review of how effectively international students’ needs are being met (or not being met)
- Gender complications in international students (and issues with marriage, children, age, etc.)
- Stigma of being a foreigner (possible factor in why international students mostly associate with other international students?)
- Acculturation/adaptation similarities in Americans studying abroad and international students studying in the U.S.
- Living arrangements (influence of host family on orientation to culture)
- Longterm impact of American studies on international students
- Designing programs for international students that specifically work for them
