Variables Affecting College Adaptation among International College Students in Korea

The main purpose of this study was to examine the effect of demographic variables (gender, SES, period of residence in Korea, place of residence, type of program, Korean ability), self-esteem, and acculturative stress on the college adaptation of international college students in Korea. 346 (196 male, 150 female) students from three universities in Jeollanam province completed the Self-Esteem, Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students and The Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ). While gender had no influence on the college adaptation of international college students, SES, period of residence in Korea, place of residence, type of program and Korean ability had significant influences. Also it was found that acculturative stress, type of program, self-esteem and place of residence had significant influence on academic adaptation whereas self-esteem, acculturative stress, type of program, and Korean ability had significant influences on social adaptation. Related to emotional adaptation, acculturative stress, place of residence, and self-esteem were significant variables. Finally, acculturative stress, type of program, self-esteem and place of residence were significant variables of institutional attachment.