Culture Shock and Integration in Globalized Tertiary Education. The Experience of Georgian International Students in Hungary

Absztrakt (kivonat)

This thesis explores the unique experiences of Georgian Stipendium Hungaricum students who study at Hungarian universities, particularly in Budapest. The study uses a qualitative approach to unravel the complexities of culture shock and cultural integration, incorporating both focus group discussions and individual interviews. The research aims to learn about the challenges the students face, the coping mechanisms they employ, and the support systems they require during this cultural transition by delving into their narratives. The thesis provides a thorough understanding of the cultural dynamics affecting the students in globalized tertiary settings. Culture shock is a personal experience that is individual to each person. The extent of culture shock and its stages varies, the in-depth interviews of the respondents offer perspectives on their culture shock progression and intercultural integration in globalized academic institutions. The study's findings provide insights into the students' journeys, shedding light on their needs, shortcomings, and adaptive strategies. This study explores how the students prepare for their studies, which can highly influence the arrival of the student. It covers how culture shock manifests and affects them, what effective strategies the students used to overcome it, and what we can offer to them to mitigate their shock. The influence and impact of universities’ support systems is analysed as well. This research elucidates how international Georgian students living and studying in Budapest, Hungary, develop through their sojourns, learn and understand how to adapt to unfamiliar circumstances and communities, while expanding their worldview and growing in their academic careers. The study’s aim is to provide insight on culture shock and integration of international students that can resonate and potentially pave way to the formulation and implementation of change benefitting both students and educational institutions alike.