Malarcher, C: Stories of Student Adaptation

Although researchers have been probing the experiences and adaptation processes of international students for decades, few studies have attempted to capture the lived experiences of these students in the students‘‘ own words. Much of the research views international students as a homogenous group, disregarding the role an individual s background and personal experiences play in the adaptation process of living and studying abroad. This book explores the adaptation processes of four South Korean students by asking each student to share his or her lived-story narrative in his or her own words with limited editing and revision of each student‘‘s words. By limiting the focus to South Korean students, this book aims to examine the extent to which the experiences and adaptation processes of an assumed homogenous group actually differ or overlap. The stories shared by these students illuminate part of the range of experiences that international students face while living and studying in the United States. Such stories provide insight for present or future international students, instructors working with international students, and administrators of international student programs.