An Ecological Process Model of International Student Settlement -Linking Affective and Structural Dimensions of Settlement

Purpose: This study aims to reconceptualize the settlement of international students not as a static outcome but as a dynamic ecological process. It seeks to redefine settlement through an integrated framework that captures the relational and interactive nature of psychological adaptation, institutional stabilization , and social integration. Method: The study adopts a theoretical synthesis approach, integrating Berry’s (1997) cultural adaptation theory, Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory, and Bourdieu’s (1986) theory of social capital. Through conceptual analysis, settlement is modeled as a dual-circulation structure in which affective and structural dimensions mutually reinforce one another within a relational ecosystem. Results: The findings conceptualize settlement as an ecological and relational process composed of three interrelated dimensions: affective settlement, structural settlement, and integration. Settlement emerges as a dynamic ecosystem where psychological, institutional, and social factors continuously interact, rather than as a fixed or linear stage. This framework shifts the analytical focus from individual adjustment to relational and systemic conditions of settlement. Conclusion: This study advances the discourse from “settlement support” to “relational design,” emphasizing the need for a sustainable settlement ecosystem. Policy implications include the establishment of region –university–government networks to support international student settlement. Educationally, the study suggests the development of a settlement-based Korean language curriculum that integrates language education with cultural understanding and social participation.