A peer mentoring social learning perspective of cross-cultural adjustment: The rapid-acculturation mateship program |
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| Institution: | 1. UQ Business School, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia;2. School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia;3. National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russian Federation;1. Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey;2. Lokman Hekim University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing Department, Ankara, Turkey;1. Department of Communication Studies, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 15200 Kutztown Rd, Kutztown, PA, 19530, USA;2. Department of Communication Studies, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA, 90840, USA |
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| Abstract: | One of the persisting challenges facing societies and organizations is to socially integrate sojourners, expatriates, including migrants into the host culture whilst leveraging reciprocal cross-cultural learning experiences. In a quasi-experimental field study, using an embedded unequal design, incoming international students’ (i-Students’) adjustment processes were investigated via a comprehensive 18/19-week peer mentoring social learning cross-cultural adjustment program. Forty-three local mentors were paired with 126 i-Student mentees, and 238 i-Students served as a control group. Quantitative and complementary qualitative data were collected from mentees, mentors, and controls at three time-points. Results showed effects in intercultural communication, cultural adjustment, life skills, and well-being domains. Mentors’ 360-degree synchronous evaluation of mentees showed increases in all skills measured. Post-program responses from participants confirmed the increase in communication and life skills, supporting the social learning hypothesis. Theoretical and practical implications are presented to assist individuals studying and/or working with their acculturation in foreign nations. |
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| Keywords: | Peer mentoring Social learning theory Cross-cultural adjustment Acculturation Social skills |
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