Introduction:
One in ten students studying within the UK comes from overseas with international students attending universities within the from over 100 different countries (University Guide, 2013). This therefore makes it possible for students at university to experience differing cultural practices, norms and values which may be experienced in different places all around the world (University Guide, 2013). As a second year student at the University of Essex I have spent the past two years living with and becoming close to six international students who I would now call my closest friends. This has led me to notice differences, as well as similarities, in social as well as cultural views between the different cultures and I have realised how this may affect how international students adapt to British university life. These differences include food consumption, drinking behaviour and attitudes as well differences in language and religion.
By the end of my research I aim to be able to answer the subsequent question:
“To what extent do differences in culture affect how international students adapt to British university life?”
I believe that research into this area is important as it provides information about different cultures and their experiences adapting to British university life which could be used within universities to help make the transition for international students as straightforward as possible. Universities could also use this research to guide further plans to help international students facilitate with the changes that will be experienced when moving to and studying in a completely new culture; which must be an absolutely terrifying concept.
Literature review:
Catherine Montgomery in her book “Understanding In...
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...nography?” In Ethnography: principles in practice. 3rd ed. London: Routledge.
Miller, T. & Bell, L. (2002) ‘Consenting to what? Issues of access, gate-keeping and “informed” consent’, in Mauthner, M. (ed.). Ethics in Qualitative Research, London: Sage. 53-69.
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The University Guide. (2013). International Students- The Facts. Available: hhtp://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/international/international-students-the-facts/. Last accessed 19th December 2013.
The life of a college student is really amazing and diverse. In fact, a person can expect to live with people from different cultures, background, and histories that it is a mix of diverse multicultural experience. Even more when a student can talk with another student from a different part of the world with totally different culture, this was my case when I interview my friend from Nigeria.
As a way to learn and validate the research process, the students of English 1120 each conducted a survey with the other students in the class. The task was to compose surveys of two or three focused subject questions. It was especially pertinent to create questions with enough depth so that the results would reveal information about student behavior. In the class survey I composed, students answered questions based on their relationship with cultures different from their own. The first question asks students if they had ever traveled, and how far their adventure took them if they had. Ten students have traveled outside of the United States borders, and five students have ventured across the pond to other countries. Students then answered the question, “Do you desire to know about cultures that differ from yours?” Twelve students replied that they do desire to learn more, and seven students replied that they would like to learn other ways of life in some respects. The final question asks, “Do you think learning about different cultures is beneficial to you as a student?” Eighteen out of the nineteen respondents marked that they believe cultural learning is beneficial to them in their academic life. For the students who show a desire for cultural learning, what are their
Méndez (2014) has somewhat summarized the dilemma in that formal consent does not help researchers deal with the feelings of guilt and the effect of others trust being degraded by disclosure (Miller & Bell, 2002). The tradeoff is such that, by using the third person, a sense of distance from the events and the people being referred to can occur, whereas using the first person is more explicit about the events being analyzed. Wyatt (2006) states that a key ethical principle is found in the writing in how close to position the reader is to the self-disclosure. Ellis (2007) offers a dimension of relational ethics when dealing with intimate issues which is subject to the vague and generic “do no harm.” The researcher will be following Megford’s (2006) proposed ‘ethic of accountability’ in which the writer should write his or her truth as if all the people involved in those events were listening to him or
Noble, John, and Peter Davies. "Cultural Capital as an Explanation of Variation in Participation in Higher Education." British Journal of Sociology of Education 30.5 (2009): 591-605. JSTOR. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
In qualitative studies, the researchers are unaware of the interview is likely to untwist. Therefore, informed consent is a must.
People have long assumed that university is the home of the educated and open minded people. People expand their personal horizons here. The public believes university students can deal with the cultural differences of human beings. The public believes students can deal with these differences because university students are exposed to a wide range of academic subjects including Humanities. Humanities exposes students to world literature, art, and geography. The public expects these subjects to aid university students in understanding cultural differences.Use of cultural differences should be emphasized in the universities. These differences should be emphasized not to humiliate or disgrace people but to influence students to accept and acknowledge cultural differences.
In the last few years, studying abroad has become an increasingly popular choice for higher education among international students (Accessibility Navigation, 2014). An average of 10% of students in universities all across the UK are international students from countries all over the world. (Accessibility Navigation, 2014). Although the experience is different for each individual student, there are many common problems that international students face. Those problems include: culture shock to varying degrees coupled with emotional issues(Bailey, 2005), Language barriers along with other communication problems (Sherry et al, 2009), and academic problems due to a change in school curriculum (Ramachandran, 2011). This essay will expand on the common problems faced by international students in the UK, offer solutions for handling the problems, and making the process of acclimating to a new environment easier for students.
In conclusion, obtaining informed consent is a vital part of respect for the patient and safeguarding of self-determination. The consent to participate in research or treatment should be informed, comprehensible, and free of coercion. There is not a clear black and white answer because no matter what is done to assure informed consent there is always a moment of doubt on the end of the patient as to whether what is going to take place is fully understood and their true wishes honored.
Chronicle of Higher Education 11 Feb. 2011: A20-A21. Academic Search Premier. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
The article titled “Contemporary Ethical Analyses: A Shortfall in Scientific Knowledge” describes the ethics through the public’s eye. One of the major ethical issues brought up is informed consent.
Going to study in a new country can be a stressful experience, from learning the culture norms to new foods. Culture shock is common with international students. Culture shock can include, meeting new people, language barriers, social behaviors, and a sense of community. A students comfortability with the culture of their new home can determine their learning experience. It can be an emotional rollercoaster, being so far away from family and friends. American culture is difficult to understand. International students find Americans to be confusing. Social norms vary depending on the part of the country a person is in.
I was inspired to study abroad in England because the country has such a strong cultural identity. When we think of England, we often think about the stereotypical tea drinkers that eat bangers and mash; however England is much more than that. England stood out to me because I felt I knew so much and so little about it. I realized that I knew about the American perception of England and not the real country. Hence why I decided to study at St. Mary’s University, so I could really understand England as a culture and society. I thought studying in London made the most sense because the city is so culturally diverse and aligns with my interests. London is at epicenter for theater, pop culture, fashion, cinema, and I want to experience all of it.
This profile adheres to the School of Health and Social Care’s guidelines set by Teesside University’s code of conduct in relation to confidentiality and consent. The profile also adheres to the NMC guidelines referring to consent and confidentiality as a real person has not been used; therefore consent did not need to be gained.
Individuals may feel isolated from society wether it be due to their sexuality, likes, or dislikes, and the virtual world is an area they do not feel like they have to conform to certain ...
After gaining a high grade for my dissertation, I believe I have gained the relevant knowledge and the necessary skills in researching, evaluating and analysing in the cultural and social studies subjects. This will in turn help to apply these skills and knowledge to the course at Goldsmiths, university of London in which I will be practically active in writing and researching. I am confident that my studies to date have helped me to develop the right academic skills to successfully accomplish this exciting