Understanding International Graduate Students’ Acculturation Using Q Methodology

When students from other countries come to the United States to study, social, cultural, and often academic adjustments are necessary to foster their successful integration into college and university life. Using multiple theories of personal adaptability (social, emotional, cultural, communication), a Q sort of 47 statements was sorted by 21 international students studying at a Midwestern land-grant university. The procedures of Q method were followed to yield 3 resultant factors, which were interpreted as Confident, Appreciative, and Apprehensive Optimists. Implications for student development and programs to facilitate success for international students are evident.