Language and Cultural Adaptation of International Students in Mahidol University

Abstract

        As the Thai government administration intends to encourage international education throughout Thailand, Mahidol University has been providing international curriculums, which gradually increase every year. This leads to an increase of international students from various ethnic groups with different cultural backgrounds, and it has caused some problems regarding cultural and language adaptation for international students. It has been found that international students experienced some concerning issues such as anxiety, loneliness as well as confusion and misunderstanding in communication with people from different cultures. It is necessary for international students to learn and adapt their social skills to survive in a changeable environment and multi-cultural contexts.

       Language and culture become crucial issues for international students of Mahidol University because most Thai people are not using English in their daily life, resulting in a difficult period of life adaptation for international students. While they were in the early stage of staying in Thailand, they might have to learn and use the Thai language as fast as they could to communicate with Thai people in general and their Thai colleagues. In addition, international students have to improve their English skills in order to communicate with international students at the same time. Therefore, studying the language and cultural adaptation of international students of Mahidol University can be useful information for not only international students but also for international students’ administration of Mahidol University to provide suitable support for international students.