Exploring challenges and coping strategies for mental well-being among international students in Malaysia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33736/jcshd.8719.2025Keywords:
international students, cultural adaptation, language barriers, mental well-being, coping strategiesAbstract
International student mobility in higher education plays a crucial role in the global academic landscape, with cultural adaptation being a key challenge. In Malaysia, this process involves adjusting to new educational systems, navigating cultural differences, and managing psychological and financial stressors that impact mental well-being. Language barriers hinder effective communication, while cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings and culture shock, contributing to anxiety, loneliness, and isolation. This study explores these challenges, and the coping mechanisms students employ using a qualitative, phenomenological approach through semi-structured interviews with five purposefully selected undergraduate students from diverse cultural backgrounds. The findings reveal that international students struggle with issues related to food, festivals, clothing, discrimination, and language barriers. To maintain their well-being, they engage in extracurricular activities, build supportive friendships, seek counselling, and develop resilience and self-reliance, fostering personal growth. The study recommends that universities strengthen support for international students by enhancing orientation programmes, fostering cross-cultural interactions, expanding student services, and providing counselling in students' native languages to facilitate adaptation and overall well-being.
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