Demographic profile, problems encountered and coping strategies of foreign students to their cultural assimilation in Cavite State University / by Louziela P. Masana.

Thesis (BS Psychology) Cavite State University

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Arts and Science (CAS)

MASANA, LOUZIELA PANGANIBAN. Demographic Profile, Problems Encountered and Coping Strategies of Foreign Students to their Cultural Assimilation in Cavite State University. Undergraduate Thesis. Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Cavite State University. Indang, Cavite. April 2008. Adviser: Mrs. Imelda R. Filart.
A study was conducted to know the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of: a) age; b) gender; c) socio-economic status; d) educational attainment; e) course; f) length of stay; and g) nationality, identify the common problems encountered in the cultural assimilation of the foreign students in terms of: a) environment; b) language; c) changing family dynamics; and d) cultural mastery, know the coping strategies of the foreign students with regard to their cultural assimilation, determine whether there is a significant relationship between demographic profiles and a) problems encountered in cultural assimilation; and b) coping strategies of respondents, and determine whether there is a significant relationship between problems encountered in cultural assimilation and coping strategies of respondents. Descriptive-Correlation Method of Research was used to analyze the relationship between the independent and dependent variables while Purposive Sampling was employed to select the respondents. A total of seventy foreign students who were enrolled in Cavite State University-Main Campus for the academic year 2007-2008 acted as participants of the study. The International Students Survey by Siegfred F. Gamueda from De La Salle University was used as a measuring tool. Likewise, the demographic profile was obtained from the Personal Data Sheet (PDS) which was attached in the questionnaire.
Frequency count, mean, percentage, Spearman Rho Rank and Point Biserial were used in analyzing the data. The results for the demographic profile indicated that majority of the respondents had ages ranging from 16 to 20 years, male, Undergraduate, taking Information/Computer Technology, with six months and below length of stay and had Php 15,001 to Php 30,000 annual family income. In terms of nationality, results showed that majority of the respondents were Koreans. The study also revealed that the most common problems in cultural assimilation were heavy traffic and undisciplined drivers, understanding "Tag-lish", homesickness and discrimination and prejudice. Results also suggested that the most commonly used coping strategies in cultural assimilation were being positive and optimistic, efforts to learn English, accepting help/assistance given by classmates and teachers, developing good relationship/friendship with local students, waking up and leaving early and surfing the net. The study also showed that the age and length of stay of the respondents have significant relationship with the problems encountered and coping strategies in cultural assimilation. Meanwhile, gender, course and nationality of the respondents have no significant relationship with the problems encountered but have significant relationship with the coping strategies. On the other hand, educational attainment and socio-economic status had nothing to do with the problems encountered and coping strategies. Finally, the results indicated that there is no significant relationship between problems encountered and coping strategies in cultural assimilation.

Submitted to the University Library 04/03/2008 T-3747