ABSTRACT: International-level migration among young people is an effective way for students to be exposed to cultural diversity in order to develop global awareness, personal competence, intercultural skills, and prospective careers for the future. In addition, an individual with intercultural skills has an advantage in effective teamwork or collaboration with others in a multi-cultural workplace. The purpose of this article is to determine differences in level of four learning outcomes on the impacts of socio-cultural adaptation in Japan from the Malaysian international students’ perspectives (N=245). Using the statistical method of Friedman test, analysis revealed significant differences in level of learning outcomes [χ² (3, N = 245) = 480.173, p < .05] with mean ranks of personal competence (2.27); intercultural competence (3.99); global competence (2.07); and skills competence (1.67). In addition, qualitative analysis through narrative method demonstrated that the struggles of adaptation issue significantly influence impacts on students’ learning and development: independence, self-confidence, expanding world-view, psychological adjustment, understanding of cultural differences, self-cultural awareness, objectivity in making decision, and problem-solving skills. Individuals living abroad deal with various challenges and difficulties situations, such as new physical environment, difference in customary practices, difference in way of thinking, language barrier, cultural shock, lack of emotional support, and difficulty in maintaining own values and beliefs. The researchers believe that for a successful socio-cultural adaptation, individuals need to express their willingness to learn and accept other cultures through psychological, behaviour, and cognitive changes.

KEY WORDS: Personal competence, intercultural competence, global competence, skills competence, socio-cultural in Japan, and Malaysian international students.

About the Authors: Rahimah Muhammad Nor is a Graduate Student (M.A.) at the Department of East Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences UM (University of Malaya), 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Zakaria Mustafa is a Lecturer at the Department of East Asian Studies @ SKET, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences UM (University of Malaya), 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The authors can be contacted via e-mails address at: mres2020@siswa.um.edu.my and zmusftafa@um.edu.my

How to cite this article? Nor, Rahimah Muhammad & Zakaria Mustafa. (2013). “Socio-Cultural Adaptation in Japan: How Malaysian International Students Deal with Challenges?” in EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies, Vol.6(1) August, pp.91-102. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press owned by ASPENSI in Bandung, West Java; and FKIP UMP in Purwokerto, Central Java, ISSN 1979-7877.

Chronicle of the article: Accepted (June 21, 2013); Revised (July 24, 2013); and Published (August 17, 2013).

An e-mail on statement of the student A, “My Stories in Japan” [accepted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: July 10, 2011].

An e-mail on statement of the student B, “My Stories in Japan” [accepted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: July 15, 2011].

An e-mail on statement of the student C, “My Stories in Japan” [accepted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: July 27, 2011].

An e-mail on statement of the student D, “My Stories in Japan” [accepted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: August 5, 2011].

An e-mail on statement of the student E, “My Stories in Japan” [accepted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: August 15, 2011].

An e-mail on statement of the student F, “My Stories in Japan” [accepted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: August 25, 2011].

Bennett, M.J. (1986). “A Developmental Approach to Training for Intercultural Sensitivity” in International Journal of International Relations, 10(2), pp.179-195.

Bennett, M.J. (1993). “Towards Ethnorelativism: A Development Model of Intercultural Sensitivity” in M. Paige [ed]. Education for the Intercultural Experience. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.

Bhawuk, D.P.S. & R. Brislin. (1992). “The Measurement of Intercultural Sensitivity Using the Concepts of Individualism and Collectivism” in International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 16(4), pp.413-436.

Black, S., M. Mendenhll & G. Oddou. (1991). “Toward a Comprehensive Model of International Adjustment: An Integration of Multiple Theoretical Perspectives” in Academy of Management Review, 16(2), pp.291-317.

Braskamp, L.A., D.C. Braskamp & K. Merril. (2007). “Global Perspective Inventory” available in http://www.gpinv.com [retrieved in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: January 12, 2013].

Brislin, R. (1981). Cross-Cultural Encounters. New York: Pergamon.

Chen, G.M. & W.J. Starosta. (1996). “Intercultural Communication Competence: A Synthesis” in Communication Yearbook, 19, pp.353-384.

Creswell, J.W. (2003). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2nd edition.

Gertsen, M. (1990). “Intercultural Competence and Expatriates” in International Journal of Human Resources Management, 1, pp.341-362.

Gudykunst, W. & Y.Y. Kim. (1996). “Communicating with Strangers: An Approach to Intercultural Communication” in John Stewart [ed]. Bridges Not Walls. New York: McGraw-Hill, 6th edition, pp.429-442.

Hamilton, S.M. (2008). Globalization. Minnesota, USA: Abdo Group.

Jackson, J. (2008). “Globalization, Internationalization, and Short-Term Stays Abroad” in International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 32(4), pp.349-358.

Kauffman, N.L. & G.D. Kuh. (1984). “The Impact of Study Abroad on Personal Development of College Students”. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association 68th, in New Orleans, LA, on April 23-27.

Kehl, K. & J. Morris. (2007). “Differences in Global-Mindedness between Short-Term and Semester-Long Study Abroad Participants at Selected Private Universities” in Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 15, pp.67-79.

Kelley, C. & J. Meyers. (1995). The Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory. Minneapolis, MN: Pearson Performance Solutions.

Neppel, J.M. (2005). “Study Abroad as a Passport to Students Learning: Does the Duration of the Study Abroad Program Matter?”. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. College Park, USA: University of Maryland.

Orahood, T., L. Kruze & D.E. Pearson. (2004). “The Impact of Study Abroad on Business Students' Career Goals” in Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10, pp.117-130.

Russo, S.L. & L.A. Osborne. (2008). “The Globally Competent Students” available in http://aplu.org/NetCommunity/Document.Doc?id=41 [retrieved in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: December 12, 2012].

Suárez-Orozco, M.M. & D. Qin-Hilliard. (2004). Globalization: Culture and Education in the New Millennium. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

Thomlison, T.D. (1991). “Effects of a Study Abroad Program on University Students: Toward a Predictive Theory of Intercultural Contact”. Paper presented at the Annual Intercultural and Communication Conference 8th, in Miami, FL, on February 22.

Winkelman, M. (1994). “Cultural Shock and Adaptation” in Journal of Counseling & Development, 73(2), pp.121-126.