International Student Acculturation: The Role of the Host Universities

Dr Bui developed and empirically tested an interdisciplinary cross-cultural adjustment model that investigated the impact of the interaction between international students and host universities in the state of Victoria. She found student−university goal alignment, value alignment, and alignment of student needs with corresponding university support drive successful acculturation. The results of the mix methods study highlighted challenges such as conflicts of interest, resource constraints and lack of leadership commitment could negatively impact on host universities from meeting student expectations. Her study has important implications for practitioners and policymakers within the international education sector in developing the necessary intervention measures that support cross-cultural transition of international students.