Research on the Influencing Factors of Cross-Cultural Adaptation of International Students Studying Abroad in South Korea

Research on the Influencing Factors of Cross-Cultural Adaptation of International Students Studying Abroad in South Korea

Cross-cultural adaptation is a social behavior that occurs when individuals enter a foreign cultural environment. Cross-cultural adapters learn the moral norms, language customs, and other aspects of the host culture, gradually adapting to and accepting it. They integrate their inherent beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns with the host culture, forming a diverse multicultural background. Since humans have engaged in cross-geographical interactions, cross-cultural adaptation has existed worldwide. With the development of science and technology and the advent of global economic integration, the world has become a global village. Nowadays, more and more people travel far from their hometowns to study, work, and engage in activities in foreign countries. Cross-cultural encounters bring novelty, mystery, and a sense of pressure, as living in a different culture means making specific changes in lifestyle and thought patterns. This change can be stressful, and not everyone can overcome it to adapt to life in a foreign country successfully. Therefore, cross-cultural adaptation is one of the most essential areas in today’s cross-cultural education. This study explores the internal and external factors that affect the cross-cultural adaptation of international students in South Korea and proposes relevant strategies to improve their cross-cultural adaptation.