The Dynamics of Being Alone and Stressed: Pakistani Female Doctoral Students’ Experiences and Coping Strategies while Pursuing Higher Education in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper explores the complex nuances and experiences of international female doctoral students when they are in the ‘settling-in phase’ to their new (host) country of higher education. When coming to Malaysia as international students, they experience feelings of being outside of their country of origin. Being physically away from their loved ones, they constantly feel stress, loneliness and homesickness. To overcome these challenges, it is especially important for the international students to surmount their first few months in the host country's communities. To achieve these results, the study employs a qualitative methodology underpinned by symbolic interactionism to elicit the true significance of these Pakistani female doctoral students’ social interactions with the host country’s community. Based on our findings, we established that female doctoral students involve themselves in a variety of coping strategies keeping in view the new environment of a host country and their adjustment to it, such as binge-watching, social network sharing, faith-based activities, going to the gym, routine management and travel and outing

The Role of Media Entertainment in Managing Stress among Malaysian Students: Escapism vs Adaptive Coping Strategies

“…Several studies conducted on stress, academic stress, coping strategy and media use have had different focus and results. A study conducted by Syed, Abdul, and Musharaf (2020) explores the experiences and coping strategies of Pakistani female doctoral students adjusting to life in Malaysia, highlighting their use of activities like binge-watching, social networking, faith-based practices, and travel to manage stress and homesickness during the initial 'settling-in phase'. Another study by Dickson, Joshua and Mavis (2020), reviewed current studies on academic stress, its causes, effects, and management, highlighting that effective stress management can enhance academic and professional outcomes.…”