Grand Valley State University ScholarWorks@GVSU Masters Theses Graduate Research and Creative Practice 4-2019 Influences on International Saudi Students’ Sojourner Acculturation in the U.S. Abdulah Shaban AlAsiri Grand Valley State University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses Part of the Anthropological Linguistics and Sociolinguistics Commons, Applied Linguistics Commons, and the Higher Education Commons Recommended Citation AlAsiri, Abdulah Shaban, "Influences on International Saudi Students’ Sojourner Acculturation in the U.S." (2019). Masters Theses. 927. https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/927 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research and Creative Practice at ScholarWorks@GVSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Influences on International Saudi Students’ Sojourner Acculturation in the U.S. Abdulah Shaban AlAsiri A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics English Department April 2019 Dedication I dedicate this thesis to my loving mother, Sharifah. You have given me all you can and more. I owe to you everything. 3 Acknowledgements This journey has been one of the greatest challenges I have ever faced. Gladly, I was not alone. Professor Daniel Brown has been with me since the very beginning. I could not have gone through it alone. I am indebted and beyond grateful to Professor Brown, who without his guidance, patience, generosity, and experience, this work would have not been completed. I do not think words can fully express my gratitude. Nevertheless, I wish to attempt to convey the highest admiration and appreciation that I have for him. My utmost thanks to my committee as well. If it was not for your guidance, expertise, and dedication I would not have been a good researcher. A special acknowledgement also goes to Professor Colleen Brice and Professor Kathryn Remlinger for their advice, valuable feedback, and support. This thesis will be always remembered for the unforgettable moments and people who have touched my heart and life forever. 4 Abstract Research on international students’ experiences in tertiary institutions abroad suggest they face difficulties related to culture, language, and socialization (e.g., Andrade, 2006; Hellsten, 2002). To encourage more successful socialization and English language development, the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission established a cap on the enrollment of Saudi students in any institutions abroad since 2014. The effectiveness of these quotas in promoting socialization is not known, but anecdotal evidence and an exploratory study conducted by the author suggest other (perhaps more influential) factors affecting Saudi students’ opportunities for socialization (in this study defined more specifically as sojourner acculturation) and subsequent language development. Previous studies of international students’ social adjustment that included Saudis found they face challenges because of their social, cultural, educational, language and religious backgrounds linked to fundamental differences in societal norms and values between their home and host countries (e.g., Albalawi, 2015; Garza 2015). Building from these findings, and informed by exploratory study results of focus group interviews, the present study aimed to measure the extent to which Saudi international students are socializing in English, and to determine the factors that most influence their outcomes. The study uses a survey administered to 247 Saudi students studying in universities across the U.S. Findings reveal much successful perceived acculturation among Saudi international students and that difficulties correlated significantly with issues of a cultural nature more than they do with any other issues. 5 Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 8 The Purpose ............................................................................................................................................................. 10 The Significance ...................................................................................................................................................... 10 Chapter 2: Review of Literature .................................................................................................................................. 13 Defining Sojourner Acculturation ........................................................................................................................... 13 Influences on Sojourner Acculturation of International Students ............................................................................ 16 International Saudi Students’ Sojourner Acculturation ........................................................................................... 19 The Exploratory Study ............................................................................................................................................. 28 Motivation for the Present Study ............................................................................................................................. 29 Research Questions .................................................................................................................................................. 31 Chapter 3: Methodology .............................................................................................................................................. 32 Participants .............................................................................................................................................................. 33 Research Instrument ................................................................................................................................................ 34 Research Variables .................................................................................................................................................. 36 Research question number one. ........................................................................................................................... 36 Research question number two ............................................................................................................................ 38 Piloting of the Survey .............................................................................................................................................. 42 Procedures ............................................................................................................................................................... 43 Analysis ................................................................................................................................................................... 44 Quantifying the dependent variable data (Appendix E) ....................................................................................... 45 Quantifying the independent variable data (Appendix F) .................................................................................... 47 Chapter 4: Results ........................................................................................................................................................ 49 Participants’ background information.................................................................................................................. 49 Extent of Acculturation and Influences on Acculturation.................................................................................... 57 Quantitative data .................................................................................................................................................. 57 Qualitative data .................................................................................................................................................... 64 Chapter 5: Discussion .................................................................................................................................................. 74 Quantitative Data ..................................................................................................................................................... 74 Most influential factors ........................................................................................................................................ 75 Least influential factors ....................................................................................................................................... 79 Qualitative Data ....................................................................................................................................................... 83 Chapter 6: Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. 87 Suggestions and Recommendations ......................................................................................................................... 87 Limitations and Future Research Suggestions ..................................................................................................... 89 Appendices