A STUDY OF SUPPORTS IN THE REDUCTION OF ACCULTURATIVE STRESS ON FIRST YEAR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Acculturative stress has a significant impact on any individual that experiences it. This type of stress is felt specifically within various immigrant populations brought on by the differences (culture, language, systems, supports, etc.) from host nation to country of origin. The effects of acculturative stress can manifest psychologically, physiologically or as some combination of the two. This research used an online survey and individual interviews to review and examine the current supports at Conestoga College in order to assess their role in reducing the impacts of acculturative stress in first year, full-time, international students. The data from the online survey (n= 57) and in-person interviews (n=16) determined that the majority of participants felt varying levels of acculturative stress after arriving to Canada for their program of study. The data displayed that although the majority of students were aware of and accessed many of the supports provided by Conestoga College, it did not reduce the experiences of acculturative stress. Four emergent themes were also revealed through the data; navigation, emotional impacts, independence and belonging which further contribute to the understanding of acculturative stress and the field of acculturation more broadly. These emergent themes are ones which can be applied to a multitude of immigrant groups and can help to unify the field of acculturation.