The Impact of Leisure Participation on Social Adaptation of International Students

Abstract

International students, often a noteworthy group, constitute about 10 per cent of the student population on many campuses throughout the world (OECD, 2009). At any time, there are likely to be over a million students and scholars attending institutions of higher learning abroad, and recent estimates have set the figure at about 4.5 million (Çetinsaya, G.2014). A significant portion of the contemporary literature has dealt with the problems of international students. Owing to the importance of international students to culturally diverse blend of colleges and universities, higher education institutions must develop support services to assist international students with a series of special needs ranging from adjusting to the academic requirements, to dealing with cultural factors of being drown in new community settings (Cho & Yu, 2015). Leisure, in the meanwhile, is an important experience for university students since it is a functional tool to create socially accommodating environments for this population. However, how active leisure participation impact on social adjustment has not been studied extensively in qualitative studies. Therefore, this qualitative study intended to examine the benefits and impacts of active leisure participation on social adjustment of international students in a mid-size metropolitan university in Manisa, Turkey. Overall, students demonstrated gains in social adjustment and reported psychological and physical benefits when they actively participated in leisure time activities. Study showed that international students have demands and expectations from the university in terms of leisure time activities.

Leisure and health benefits associated with acculturation among Western international students living in South Korea

“…Literature on leisure studies suggests that leisure activity can serve as an effective coping strategy to deal with adaptation challenges (J. Kim, 2012 ). Prior studies have indicated that participating in leisure helped international students to gain cultural knowledge and effectively embrace new cultural values and perspectives (Lee et al, 2018 ; Zerengok et al, 2018 ). International students have used leisure as a way of connecting with host individuals, reducing stress, and adjusting socially, resulting in better mental health and overall quality of life.…”

Adaptation of foreign female students to physical activity based on the dexterity development

“…Foreign females with an active motor position are significantly ahead of their peers in functional characteristics [1]. Only the implementation of a systematic educational and extracurricular physical education and recreational activities can enhance the effect of positive social and psychological adaptation of foreign students in higher education [4]. Therefore, our study does not contradict these trends.…”

“…The quality of Russian higher education and the conditions of study correspond to the needs of foreign prospective students [3]. Problems of foreign students' adaptation to the study process are an important element in the vocational training system [4].…”

Outlining Placid Involvements: Understanding the Lived Experiences of Philippine School Doha Alumni Studying Abroad

“…The alumni built better relationships, especially outside school. Leisure time activities impact not only the social adjustment of the students but also psychological and physiological benefits (Zerengok et al, 2018). It also had a positive effect on their emotional and mental well-being.…”

“…First, the alumni eased themselves by socializing and searching for hobbies. Zerengok et al (2018) imply that leisure participation is a promising tool to create socially accommodating environments for this population." Socializing relieves culture shock, considering that the alumni meet new people in a foreign country.…”