Despite the significant presence of international students in Malaysia, their cultural adaptation in Malaysia remains low. This study investigates the factors contributing to entry of international students in Malaysia. It also explores the challenges of cultural adaptation among international students while adapting to Malaysian culture. Through a qualitative approach, using in-depth interviews of 20 participants, this research identifies primary barriers to cultural adaptability. The study also revealed the actions could to be highlight by the management’s university to facilitate international students adapting with Malaysian culture. The findings of this study suggest that university management should provide an opportunities or activities related to student engagement with the local community such as cultural exploration, pre-arrival training, cultural understanding and social interactions, tour to heritage places. These activities might provide better understanding and exposure of Malaysian cultural towards international students.
Adhikari, A. (2023). Socio-educational perspectives: A study on human adjustment. EPRA International Journal of Research & Development (IJRD), 8(1), 97-101.
Alasmari, A. A. (2023). Challenges and social adaptation of international students in Saudi Arabia. Heliyon, 9(5).
Al-Hidabi, D. A. Y., Thartori, V., Abdullah, M. R. B., Sahrir, M. S. B., Alzabid, T. S. O., & Shakafa, M. (2023). Exploring the Experiences of International Students Living in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 12(2).
Alshammari, M. K., Othman, M. H., Mydin, Y. O., & Mohammed, B. A. (2023). Exploring how cultural identity and sense of belonging influence the psychological adjustment of international students. Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. C, Physiology and Molecular Biology, 15(1), 251-257.
Amiri, F., & Puteh, M. (2021). Strategies to Overcome Communication Apprehension during Academic Presentations: A Case of International Students in Malaysian Universities. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 21(2), 34-43.
Bond, B. (2022). International students: language, culture and the ‘performance of identity’. In Educational Mobilities and Internationalised Higher Education (pp. 63-79). Routledge.
Chong, P. Y., Kam, A. J. Y., & Tham, S. Y. (2024). Factors influencing international students’ perceived value and satisfaction at private universities in Malaysia. Tuning Journal for Higher Education, 11(2), 255-334.
Demchuk, A. L., Miši?, M., Obydenkova, A., & Tosun, J. (2024). Environmental conflict management: a comparative cross-cultural perspective of China and Russia. In Strategies and Challenges of Sustainable Development in Eurasia (pp. 37-59). Routledge.
Deni, A. R., Tumar, A., Houghton, A. M., & Crosling, G. M. (2021). Is all well? Academically successful international students in Malaysia. International Journal of Educational Management, 35(3), 655-667.
Halali, A. A. S., Ismail, L., Abd Samad, A., Razali, A. B., & Noordin, N. (2023). The Effect of Communication Language Anxiety and Prior Learning Experience on Speaking Challenges and Strategies: The Case of Libyan Students in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions. Journal of International Students, 13(3), 362-388.
Haniya, O. K., & Said, H. (2022). Influential factors contributing to the understanding of international students’ choice of Malaysian higher education institutions: Qualitative study with a focus on expected benefits. Tuning Journal for Higher Education, 9(2), 63-97.
Jamal, H. R., & Wok, S. (2020). Assessing Cross-Cultural Adaptation of International Students in IIUM. International Journal of Modern Trends in Social Sciences, 3(14), 47-63.
Kee, D. M. H., Yyadav, S., Ngu, H. J., & Sasitheran, N. A. (2022). Acculturative stress among international students: A case of Malaysian Universities. Asia Pacific Journal of Management and Education (APJME), 5(1), 22-33.
Kee, D. M. H., Yyadav, S., Ngu, H. J., & Sasitheran, N. A. (2022). Acculturative stress among international students: A case of Malaysian Universities. Asia Pacific Journal of Management and Education (APJME), 5(1), 22-33.
Kristiana, I. F., Karyanta, N. A., Simanjuntak, E., Prihatsanti, U., Ingarianti, T. M., & Shohib, M. (2022). Social support and acculturative stress of international students. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(11), 6568.
Lashari, S. A., Awang-Hashim, R., Lashari, T. A., & Kaur, A. (2023). Acculturation stress and social support for international students' adjustment in Malaysia: Does language proficiency matter?. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 15(2), 496-508.
Li, Y. Q. (2021). Perceived social support and psychological well-being of international students: The mediating effects of resiliency and spirituality in Qi, Li Yue and Roslan, Samsilah and Zaremohzzabieh, Zeinab (2021) Perceived social support and psychological well-being of international students: the mediating effects of resiliency and spirituality/Li Yue Qi, Samsilah Roslan and Zeinab Zaremohzzabieh. Asian Journal of University Education (AJUE).
Malay, E. D., Otten, S., & Coelen, R. J. (2023). Predicting adjustment of international students: The role of cultural intelligence and perceived cultural distance. Research in Comparative and International Education, 18(3), 485-504.
Mohamed, A. M. (2014). Cultural adjustment of international students as expatriates in Malaysia (Doctoral dissertation, Universiti Utara Malaysia).
Mohamed, M. M. (2020). Challenges and adjustment of international students in Malaysia: Pre-departure factors and post-arrival strategies. Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 8(10), 43-52.
Ofem, U. J. (2023). Adjustment Tendencies Among Transiting Students: A Mediation Analysis Using Psychological Wellbeing Indices. International Journal of Education and Cognitive Sciences, 4(3), 1-19.
Ovchinnikova, E., Mol, C. V., & Jones, E. (2023). The role of language proximity in shaping international student mobility flows. Globalisation, Societies and Education, 21(4), 563-574.
Qadeer, T., Javed, M. K., Manzoor, A., Wu, M., & Zaman, S. I. (2021). The experience of international students and institutional recommendations: A comparison between the students from the developing and developed regions. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 667230.
Rahim, N. A. A. (2021). Adjustment Experiences of International Graduate Students to Life in the United States. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 29(4).
Rathakrishnan, B., Bikar Singh, S. S., Kamaluddin, M. R., Ghazali, M. F., Yahaya, A., Mohamed, N. H., & Krishnan, A. R. (2021). Homesickness and socio-cultural adaptation towards perceived stress among international students of a public university in Sabah: an exploration study for social sustainability. Sustainability, 13(9), 4924.
Rock, D., Danaee, M., & Coluzzi, P. (2021). Integrativeness in Malaysia: The socio-educational model in a modern Asian context. System, 103, 102623.
Rui, Z., & Wahab, N. A. (2022). The Challenges and Academic Adaptations among Ningxia China Students Studying in Malaysia. Sciences, 12(4), 1302-1313.
Sam, R., Jamil, H. B., & Md Zain, A. N. (2024). Academic Adjustment Issues in a Malaysian Research University: The Case of Cambodian, Laotian, Burmese, and Vietnamese Postgraduate Students' Experiences. Laotian, Burmese, and Vietnamese Postgraduate Students' Experiences (June 01, 2024).
Sato, T., Miller, R. T., Rakwal, R., Tomura, T., & Fukasawa, K. (2024). International graduate students’ campus and social adjustment experiences at a Japanese university. Multicultural Learning and Teaching, 19(1), 91-110.
Singh, J. K. N. (2023). Enhancing international student experience: pre-support support services provided to postgraduate international students in a Malaysian research university. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 27(8), 972-986.
Singh, J. K. N., & Jack, G. (2022). The role of language and culture in postgraduate international students’ academic adjustment and academic success: Qualitative insights from Malaysia. Journal of International Students, 12(2).
Singh, J. K. N., & Jack, G. (2022). The role of language and culture in postgraduate international students’ academic adjustment and academic success: Qualitative insights from Malaysia. Journal of International Students, 12(2).
Singh, J. K. N., & Jamil, H. (2021). International education and meaningful contributions to society: Exploration of postgraduate international students’ perspectives studying in a Malaysian research university. International Journal of Educational Development, 81, 102331.
Sulaiman, N., Yeatman, H., Russell, J., & Law, L. S. (2021). A food insecurity systematic review: experience from Malaysia. Nutrients, 13(3), 945.
Vuong, Q. H., Pham, H. H., Dong, T. K. T., Ho, M. T., & Dinh, V. H. (2021). Current Trends and Realities of International Students in East and Southeast Asia: The Cases of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia. International Journal of Education and Practice, 9(3), 532-549.
Wan, C. D., & Abdullah, D. (2021). Internationalisation of Malaysian higher education: policies, practices and the SDGs. International Journal of Comparative Education and Development, 23(3), 212-226.
Wan, R., Md Nordin, S., & Razali, R. (2013). International students’ cultural experiences: Exploring socio-cultural and academic adjustment in Malaysian Universities. Recent Advances in Modern Educational Technologies, 31-37.
Wenyan, Z., Radzi, N. M., & Omar, I. M. (2023). Mediating Effect of Intrinsic Motivation Between Cross-Cultural Adaptation and International Students’academic Adaptation in China. MOJEM: Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Management, 11(3), 28-47.
Wilczewski, M., & Alon, I. (2023). Language and communication in international students’ adaptation: a bibliometric and content analysis review. Higher Education, 85(6), 1235-1256.
Wilczewski, M., & Alon, I. (2023). Language and communication in international students’ adaptation: a bibliometric and content analysis review. Higher Education, 85(6), 1235-1256.
Wong, M. L. L., & Liu, S. (2024). The role of online social networking sites in facilitating friendships and adaptation among international students in Malaysia. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 99, 101942.
Wong, M. L. L., & Liu, S. (2024). The role of online social networking sites in facilitating friendships and adaptation among international students in Malaysia. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 99, 101942.
Wright, K. E., Lucero, J. E., Ferguson, J. K., Granner, M. L., Devereux, P. G., Pearson, J. L., & Crosbie, E. (2021). The influence of cultural food security on cultural identity and well-being: a qualitative comparison between second-generation American and international students in the United States. Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 60(6), 636-662.
Xiao, M. (2024). Chinese international graduate students at Canadian universities: Language barriers, cultural identities and perceived problems of engagement. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 28(5), 491-508.
Yaacob, M., So, W. W. M., & Iizuka, N. (2022). Exploring community perceptions of climate change issues in Peninsular Malaysia. Sustainability, 14(13), 7756.
Yang, F., He, Y., & Xia, Z. (2023). The effect of perceived discrimination on cross-cultural adaptation of international students: moderating roles of autonomous orientation and integration strategy. Current Psychology, 42(23), 19927-19940.
Yassin, A. A., Abdul Razak, N., Qasem, Y. A., & Saeed Mohammed, M. A. (2020). Intercultural learning challenges affecting international students’ sustainable learning in Malaysian higher education institutions. Sustainability, 12(18), 7490.
Y?lmaz, K., & Temizkan, V. (2022). The effects of educational service quality and socio-cultural adaptation difficulties on international students’ higher education satisfaction. Sage Open, 12(1), 21582440221078316.
Zhai, X., & Razali, A. B. (2022). International Chinese postgraduate students’ adaptation strategies for oral English communication practices in Malaysian higher education institutions. Education Research International, 2022(1), 6439726.
Zhao, W., Osman, M. N., Omar, S. Z., & Yaakup, H. S. (2023). The Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Chinese International Students in Malaysia: A Systematic Review. Asian People Journal (APJ), 6(1), 66-81.
Zhao, X., & Schartner, A. (2024). Revisiting the ‘U-curve’hypothesis: international students’ academic, sociocultural, and psychological adjustment trajectories at a British university. European Journal of Higher Education, 14(2), 343-366.
Rohman, N. A., Ashari, S. N. A., & Johari, F. F. (2024). Study Abroad and Cultural Adaptation among International Students in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(11), 1390–1407.
Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode