Kwakernaak, Hanna M (2023) Exploring International Students’ Experiences with the Buddy Project within their Social Context. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
This bachelor thesis aims to explore experiences of international students with the Buddy Project in relation to their social contexts. The project, implemented at the psychology department of Groningen University, matches first-year international students with senior students to support them in their acculturation process. Providing social support might be an important factor in helping these students adapt to their new environment. Therefore, the current thesis focusses on the social context of the participants to gain insight into what kind of relationships are important to the acculturation process of international students and how the Buddy Project relates to this. Qualitative research is done through semi-structured interviews with 10 participants of this years’ edition of the project (2022-2023). Data was analysed through coding using inductive and deductive approaches. Patterns showed that students found a variety of ways to establish new relationships, mainly through university related activities which shows the important role universities play in the social life of international students. Moreover, most valuable relationships seemed those that provide guidance to Groningen student life. The Buddy Project seemed not to be important for establishment of new relationships, however it was experienced valuable as it provided informational support. Hence, to increase the impact of the Buddy Project, the enhancement of social support through increasing social interactions among the participants of the project is suggested. Further research could investigate the needs among international students to connect with local students from the host country.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Supervisor name: | Otten, S. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Jul 2023 09:47 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Jul 2023 09:47 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2549 |
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