Stressors and Coping Strategies in Acculturation Experiences of Non-EU/EEA International Students in a Public University in Bergen, Norway

Abstract

Education programs to study abroad are being offered as the world becomes more globalized. In Bergen, Norway many programs are taught in English, and every semester universities welcome international students from outside the EU/EEA. These students face particular challenges and reach to different resources as they find ways to adapt to this new environment, academic system and culture. The main objective for this study was to explore the acculturation process of non-EU/EEA international students in a public university in Bergen, Norway”. In order to achieve this, two sub objectives were established. First one was to explore the existence of stressors or main challenges international students from outside the EU/EEA encounter during their mobility experience in Bergen. And second, explore how non-EU/EEA international students in a public university in Bergen, Norway are coping with potential stressors. This research was a qualitative work that followed a narrative design. Six in depth semi-structured interviews to international students were carried out. The data was coded in NVIVO 12 and reflexive thematic analysis was conducted guided by the integrative framework of acculturation and salutogenesis. The study found that the main stressors the international students faced revolved around lack of social support, change in diet, the practice of new languages, the lack of sunlight, among others. While the coping strategies included finding new social networks, adapting their diets, adapting their dress codes, learning new languages, self care practices, among others. The study reveals how despite the uniqueness of each student's experiences, certain challenges were similar and how the way they confronted the stressors reveals problem-focused strategies, as well as emotion-focused strategies. However, the data also illuminated a third category that goes beyond the model and established and works as combined behavior-emotion strategies. The findings provide a starting point to guide the efforts of academic institutions when it comes to offering a welcoming, health promoting, supportive environment for international students to thrive in their study programs and get the most out of their experiences abroad.

Keywords: International Students, Salutogenesis, Culture, Acculturation stress, Sense of Coherence, General Resistance resources, Specific Resistance Resources, Education, Mobility programs