Date of Award

12-1984

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

Counseling and Personnel

First Advisor

Dr. John Geisler

Second Advisor

Dr. Thelma Urbick

Third Advisor

Dr. Robert Wait

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the adjustment problems encountered by Malaysian students enrolled at Western Michigan University. The study also attempted to determine if there were significant differences in the adjustment problems among respondents in the various variables and sub-groups identified.

The following demographic and personal data, and patterns of social integration were treated as independent variables: Age; Sex; Marital status; Academic classification; Setting of home residence; Duration of stay in the U.S.; Major field of study; Financial sponsorship; Entry qualification; Work experience; English language proficiency; Frequency of interaction with American students, non-Malaysian foreign students and Malaysian students; Participation in activities organized by student organizations or Office of International Student Services; Religious services attendance; Types of residence; and Frequency of counsulting advisors; international student counselors or student counselors.

The instrument chosen for the survey was the Michigan International Student Problem Inventory (MISPI) developed by John Wilson Porter in 1962 and revised in 1977. Nineteen null hypotheses were tested. Significant differences were determined by the One-way and Two-way Analysis of Variance and Scheffe procedures.

The major findings of the study were: (1) Malaysian students at Western Michigan University identified Financial Aids and English Language areas as the two most serious problem areas, with Academic Advising and Records, Living and Dining, Social-personal, Health Services, Orientation Services, Admission and Selection, Placement Services, Student Activities, and Religious Services following respectively. (2) Male students and students who work experienced more problems in the Financial Aids area. (3) Undergraduate students, students from rural backgrounds, government sponsored students, students with HSC/MCE entry qualification, students who interact less frequently with American students, students who interact more frequently with Malaysian students, students who attended religious services two or more times a week, and students who obtained low TOEFL score were having more difficulties in the English Language area. (4) Students who interact more frequently with Malaysian students and students who participate in activities organized by MSO and other organizations two or more times a semester reported experiencing more problems in the Academic Advising and Records area. (5) The involvement of Malaysian students in various activities whether on or off campus was limited and generally, Malaysian students interact more frequently with fellow Malaysians than with Americans or other international students.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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Included in

Counseling Commons

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