Gaerlan, Luigi A. and Quibael, Paul Anne A. and Santiago, Maria Kristine Joyce S. (2011) Migrating problems and coping strategies of intenational students. Undergraduate thesis, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas.

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Abstract

The researchers aim to identify what are the coping strategies utilized by international students upon migrating to the Philippines. The respondents are international students of De La Salle University- Dasmarinas, Cavite. This study will focus on four (4) areas in migrating problems namely; Physical/Environmental, Emotional, Educational and Social. Physical/Environmental dilemma's would focus on the Philippine climate, living condition Filipino Transportation (e.g. jeepney) and Filipino Cuisine. The Emotional Dilemmas would concentrate on feelings of culture shock, homesickness and loneliness. The Educational Dilemmas would focus on the international students‟ difficulties regarding academic performance, understanding Filipino language, faculty and staff relationship, local students, and school amenities. And Social Dilemma deals with the interaction between local students. The research would concentrate on four coping strategies namely; Problem-focused coping, Emotional-focused coping, Social Support, and Optimism and Positive Thinking. Methodology: This study is descriptive correlation in nature. The researchers used purposive sampling to gather respondents. Respondents were forty (40) international students from two religious education classes. Major Findings: 1. Eighty percent (80%) of the respondents were Koreans, followed by Indonesians and Chinese with 5% each, and the remaining ones are Nigerian, Lebanese, Mexican and Indian with 2.50% each. 55% of the respondents were females and 45% were males. The respondents‟ mean age was 19.36 years. 45% of the respondents have been living in the Philippines for 3 or more years, 32.50% have been living in the Philippines for 2 years or more, 15% have been in 1 year or more, while the remaining 7.50% have been in the Philippines for 6 months to a full year. 2. In terms of Physical/Environmental Migrating Problems, the respondents rated the Philippine Traffic, Undisciplined Jeepney/Tricycle Divers and Humid climate as “Often a problem”. While Rainstorms and heavy flooding and the Feeling of Being Unsafe riding public transportation are rated as “Sometimes a problem”. Collectively, the items in Physical/Environmental category are rate as “Sometimes a problem”. All 4 items in the Emotional Category were rated as “Sometimes a Problem” therefore emotional Problems were “Sometimes a problem”. In the Educational Category, items Filipino Classmates Speaking in Filipino in Presence of International Student and the School being not aware of the need of International Students are rated as often a problem while the remaining items are rated as sometimes a problem, therefore making the category Educational Problems “Sometimes a Problem”. All 4 items in the category Problems of Social Interaction with Filipinos were rated as “Sometimes a Problem”. The possible reason why all categories are rated as “Sometimes a Problem” is most of the respondents have been living in the Philippines for about 3 years or more. Thus, somehow giving them a longer time to adapt to Philippine Culture. 3. Most of the time the respondents utilize Optimism/ Positive thinking, making majority of the respondents highly optimistic. The second coping strategy utilized by International Students is Social Support, followed by Problem-focused coping. The coping strategy that the International Students least utilizes is Emotion-Focused. The data implies that the respondents are more likely to face their problems rather than doing something that would ease pressure or doing something that would divert their attention away from their problems. 4. There is a significant relationship between Optimism and Emotional Problems. This implies that the respondents utilize Optimism/Positive thinking in dealing with Emotional Problems (e.g. Homesickness). But there are no significant relationships between Optimism/Positive Thinking and each of the remaining categories of Migrating Problems. Conclusions: Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that the following data seems to prove that: 1. Most International Students prefer to study in the Philippines due to the proximity of the countries (those who are coming from Asian countries) as well as the low cost if tertiary education compared to others. In case of the Koreans, since many of them have stayed in the Philippines for more than 3 years and most of them live together, they have built their small communities. 2. The problems that the international students mostly have a hard time with are those that are uncontrollable, like the humid climate, traffic and undisciplined jeepney/ tricycle drivers, as they rarely experience it in their home country. In connection with previous studies, the international students still need a better interaction with the DLSU-D community De La Salle University - Dasmariñas 11 (faculties and the administration) as they feel that the school is not aware of their needs. 3. The International students predominantly utilize Optimism / positive thinking coping strategy when it comes to the Emotional migrating problems, for them to avoid stress and negative thoughts, for them to have positive mood that improves their ability to process information more efficiently, and gives them higher self-esteem. 4. Since there is no relationship between coping strategies and migrating problems, it implies that International Students doesn't necessarily use a specific coping strategy for a specific kind of problem, every time. It suggests that the International Students have a choice of using a variety of coping strategies when faced with problems. Recommendations: 1. Future researchers should focus more on those who stayed for 6 months to 1 year in the Philippines since they have a minimal exposure to the country. If possible they should do a focused group discussion so they could focus more on the problems encountering by the international students. 2. International students should make themselves aware of the country's tradition and norms especially the language to lessen anxiety and to be familiar with norms and standards. 3. Counselors should extend their projects and programs for the international students, especially those major in psycho education and career. They should provide a program for all international students and require them to attend. In line with the findings of this study, the researchers suggest a program that orients forthcoming international students about the Philippine environment (e.g. the traffic and public transportation) as well as primary Filipino values/ etiquette (e.g. the use of “po and “opo”, and basic Filipino words and its usage). 4. Local students should extend their effort especially those student leaders; they should guide the international students since they are new to the environment for them to adjust well and develop trust and more self-esteem. 5. The administration should look into the condition of the international students, as findings from previous studies and this study as well; the international students feel that the school is not aware of their needs.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Additional Information:	PSY 1000 2011
Keywords:	Subjects: Adjustment (Psychology); Foreign students -- Research.
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Depositing User:	Users 4 not found.
Date Deposited:	12 Aug 2015 01:54
Last Modified:	29 Oct 2024 00:51
URI:	https://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/id/eprint/1307

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