The Adjustment of Scandinavian Students¹

Learning Chinese abroad: the role of language attitudes and motivation in the adaptation of international students in China

“…Examining sojourners' increased ability to use the language in interactions with members of the host culture, studies (e.g. Gullahorn and Gullahorn 1966;Sewell and Davidson 1956) suggested that a sojourner's level of fluency in the language of the host country might influence his or her degree of adaptation. Church (1982) argued that the relationship between language fluency and social interaction was most likely a reciprocal one, which indicated that increased language confidence led to greater participation in the host community, which, in turn, led to improved language proficiency in the host language.…”

Beginning Country Practice

“…The concept of a U curve of adjustment has been used to explain the separate stages of elation, depression and recovery (Sewell and Davidsen 1956;Gullahorn and Gullahorn 1963;Selltiz, Christ, Havel and Cook 1963;Richardson 1974). It has been argued that for assimilation to occur, an immigrant must successfully complete a sequence of satisfaction, identification and acculturation whereby they would become indistinguishable from the majority of native bom residents (Richardson 1974).…”

Research on foreign students at colleges and universities in the United States

“…Bulthuis in Chapter Two (this volume) discusses typical phases of adjustment. Sewell and Davidsen (1956) describe foreign students as either detached observers, promoters, enthusiastic participants, or settlers, depending on their approach to the adjustment process.…”