A peer mentoring social learning perspective of cross-cultural adjustment: The rapid-acculturation mateship program
Pekerti,Andre A. Van De Vijver,Fons J.r. Moeller,Miriam Okimoto,Tyler G. Edwards,Martin R.
Pekerti,Andre A.
Van De Vijver,Fons J.r.
Moeller,Miriam
Okimoto,Tyler G.
Edwards,Martin R.
Abstract
One of the persisting challenges facing societies and organizations is to socially integrate sojourners, expatriates, including migrants into the host culture whilst leveraging reciprocal cross-cultural learning experiences. In a quasi-experimental field study, using an embedded unequal design, incoming international students’ (i-Students’) adjustment processes were investigated via a comprehensive 18/19-week peer mentoring social learning cross-cultural adjustment program. Forty-three local mentors were paired with 126 i-Student mentees, and 238 i-Students served as a control group. Quantitative and complementary qualitative data were collected from mentees, mentors, and controls at three time-points. Results showed effects in intercultural communication, cultural adjustment, life skills, and well-being domains. Mentors’ 360-degree synchronous evaluation of mentees showed increases in all skills measured. Post-program responses from participants confirmed the increase in communication and life skills, supporting the social learning hypothesis. Theoretical and practical implications are presented to assist individuals studying and/or working with their acculturation in foreign nations.
Description
Funding Information: This research was funded by The Business, Law and Economics Faculty, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. The University of Queensland Business School, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Funding Information: This research was funded by The Business, Law and Economics Faculty, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia . The University of Queensland Business School, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia . Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
Date
2021-09-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Acculturation, Cross-cultural adjustment, Peer mentoring, Social learning theory, Social skills, ACADEMIC-ACHIEVEMENT, CONTACT, ABROAD PROGRAMS, U-CURVE, PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT, INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, SOCIOCULTURAL ADJUSTMENT, Acculturation , ETHNIC-IDENTITY, COMPLEXITY, ORGANIZATIONAL INTERVENTIONS
Citation
Pekerti, A A, Van De Vijver, F J R, Moeller, M, Okimoto, T G & Edwards, M R 2021, 'A peer mentoring social learning perspective of cross-cultural adjustment : The rapid-acculturation mateship program', International Journal of Intercultural Relations, vol. 84, pp. 276-299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2021.08.010