Internationella studenter i Växjö : En studie om sociokulturell anpassning

The main purpose of this study is to explain international students’ social and cultural adaptation to the new environment at Linnaeus University in Växjö. Multiple research methods were used as this study has gathered and analyzed both qualitative and quantitative data, however with an emphasis on the qualitative. Six interviews were conducted and 103 survey responses collected. The data was analyzed in light of four theories; Bourdieu’s theory of social capital, Ebaugh’s theory of role exit, Elias and Scotson’s theory of established and outsiders, and Stier’s description of the role of socialization for cultural learning. The results of the study indicates that the international students form an initial, small social network consisting of other international students through meeting people in class, in their living corridors and on events organized by the University’s organizations. This small social network expands as students meet new friends through their existing social network; through “a friend of a friend”. The social network functions as social capital as the students get access to resources such as jobs, organizations and a less segregated living situation through their friends and acquaintances. The growing social network in time also includes Swedish students, and having Swedish friends help facilitate the students’ cultural adaption. The students get re-socialized into Swedish culture through interaction with Swedish people; by receiving rewards when doing something right and sanctions when doing something wrong. While adapting to Swedish norms they disengage in norms from their home culture. This re-socialization can be viewed as a version of role exit. The final stage of the cultural adaptation is when the Swedish norms have been internalized with the international student to the point where he or she feels like it is a part of his or her personality