ENCOUNTERING DIFFERENCES: STUDY AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT CULTURE-SHOCK IN FINLAND : (THE CASE OF ASIAN FIRST YEAR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS)
Njeri Chege, Dorothy (2013)
Njeri Chege, Dorothy
Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu
2013
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2013112518165
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2013112518165
Tiivistelmä
ABSTRACT
Chege, Dorothy Njeri. Encountering Differences: Study and Learning Environ-ment Culture Shock in Finland. The Case of Asian First Year International Stu-dents. 81 pages, 1 appendix. Language: English. Järvenpää, Autumn 2013. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. Degree Programme in Social Ser-vices. Degree: Bachelor of Social Services.
International students have diverse needs when undertaking education in Finnish universities. It is in the interest of both international students and the host institution to ensure these students achieve success in their studies.
The research study aims at examining the experiences of Asian international students in Finland. It seeks to find out how they perceived their new learning environment in Finland, and to explore the strategies they employed to adjust to, manage and construct meaning out of their learning situation in their first year of study, as they adjusted to the culture of learning and teaching in the new learning environment during their first year abroad.
The study research material was collected during the spring semester and summer of 2013. Not much previous exact research has been conducted. Nev-ertheless some related researches provided me with knowledge and acted as guidelines for the research study.
The research study is based on Phenomenological qualitative research method. The data was collected through semi-structured and focus group interviews. The study was carried out with a group of Asian postgraduate and graduate students from Finnish universities. Qualitative analysis was chosen using the semi structured interview to elicit responses from seven international students from Asia studying in different universities in Finland.
It was found out that adjustment for the students was most difficult in the first year from entry into the new cultural context, largely due to the influence of previous educational and cultural experiences.
The findings of the research study shows different motivational factors why the Asian international students chose to study outside their countries of origin. The study shock experienced was explained as being caused by different learning methods and everyday encounters in the Finnish society and educational system. The findings suggest that stress related to the academic task is caused by academic cultural differences, particularly in regard to critical evaluation and participation and discussion in class and social interactions.
Chege, Dorothy Njeri. Encountering Differences: Study and Learning Environ-ment Culture Shock in Finland. The Case of Asian First Year International Stu-dents. 81 pages, 1 appendix. Language: English. Järvenpää, Autumn 2013. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. Degree Programme in Social Ser-vices. Degree: Bachelor of Social Services.
International students have diverse needs when undertaking education in Finnish universities. It is in the interest of both international students and the host institution to ensure these students achieve success in their studies.
The research study aims at examining the experiences of Asian international students in Finland. It seeks to find out how they perceived their new learning environment in Finland, and to explore the strategies they employed to adjust to, manage and construct meaning out of their learning situation in their first year of study, as they adjusted to the culture of learning and teaching in the new learning environment during their first year abroad.
The study research material was collected during the spring semester and summer of 2013. Not much previous exact research has been conducted. Nev-ertheless some related researches provided me with knowledge and acted as guidelines for the research study.
The research study is based on Phenomenological qualitative research method. The data was collected through semi-structured and focus group interviews. The study was carried out with a group of Asian postgraduate and graduate students from Finnish universities. Qualitative analysis was chosen using the semi structured interview to elicit responses from seven international students from Asia studying in different universities in Finland.
It was found out that adjustment for the students was most difficult in the first year from entry into the new cultural context, largely due to the influence of previous educational and cultural experiences.
The findings of the research study shows different motivational factors why the Asian international students chose to study outside their countries of origin. The study shock experienced was explained as being caused by different learning methods and everyday encounters in the Finnish society and educational system. The findings suggest that stress related to the academic task is caused by academic cultural differences, particularly in regard to critical evaluation and participation and discussion in class and social interactions.