The multicultural personality: Does it predict international students’ openness to diversity and adjustment?

International student adjustment : does the size of the population dictate the experience?

“…is often a struggle, both academically and socially, for international students as they attempt to adapt to their new environment (Yakunina, 2012). This study looked to examine potential differences in the cultural adjustment experiences of international students, focusing on differences related to significant variations within the demographic breakdown of the international student population.…”

“…This expectation was equally true for three participants coming from the country of origin making up the majority of the international student population, and the participants coming from other countries of origin. (Yakunina, 2012). The participants came to the university expecting a friendly campus and as shown in the next theme, they found the campus to be friendly, which helped with their adjustment.…”

“…The studies also attempt to determine if international student adjustment to a college campus is determined not by where a student is from, but rather by the personality of the individual student. Studies by Yakunina (2012) and Lin (2012) attempted to push cultural adjustment theory studies that focus on international students in this direction, going beyond where a student is from or where they have chosen to study. Their research has shown that regardless of where a student is from, students with both a desire to learn more about other cultures and with a greater understanding of cultural norms are more likely to have a smooth adjustment to a college campus in a foreign country than those who are not.…”

“…Factors in these studies can be used as a list of potential warning signs for predicting which international students will struggle during their time as college students. Yakunina (2012) examined how students with a multicultural personality would be better suited for academic success when studying at colleges and universities in another country. Students who displayed a higher level of social initiative, or social openness, were more likely to have an easier time adjusting to life on college campuses.…”

“…The findings in this domain are both similar to and different from those found in the literature review, specifically the research that focuses on 1) Mental Health and Causes of Stress and 3) Student Support Services. As displayed in the previous theme, the students came to the U.S. expecting the campus to be friendly, which displays an openness that allows for an easier time adjusting to campus (Yakunina, 2012).…”