Relationship between intercultural friendship networks and homesickness level of international degree students at a Finnish university

Abstract

An increasing number of international students are coming to Finland due to a high quality and tuition free education. International students form the second biggest group of immigrants in Finland. Universities see international students as important for establishing international contacts and developing the country’s economy and, therefore, are concerned about their well-being. The current thesis explores the relationship between intercultural friendship and homesickness levels among international degree students at a Finnish university.

The thesis consists of two parts: a monograph on cross-cultural adaptation of international students and a research article exploring the relationship between intercultural friendship and homesickness levels of international degree students at a Finnish university. The study uses a culture shock model as the conceptual background since homesickness is one of the components of culture shock. The aim of the study is achieved through a quantitative method. To collect the data, online surveys were distributed among international degree students at a Finnish university.

The findings of the study are useful for university educators and foreign students’ advisors. The results demonstrate a significant relationship between intercultural friendships and homesickness levels of international degree students. The study supports the idea that the intercultural ties of international students play an essential role in decreasing their level of homesickness.