| This research is a qualitative ethnographic case study of Kuwaiti students attending the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The purpose of this research was two-fold: to understand the academic and cultural factors that affected the adjustment of Kuwaiti students sponsored by their home government as part of a unique formal educational agreement with the university in an accelerated Six-year Combined Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree Curricular Program; and to investigate the responses of administration and faculty to students making the transition to academic life. This exploratory study used the procedures of grounded theory approach as an inductive strategy for discovery.; A purposeful sampling strategy appropriate for a small, in-depth study was used to identify primary respondents. Semi-structured and unstructured interviews were conducted with eight students, four faculty, and two administrators. Interviews were analyzed in the interpretative tradition for themes, topics, and recurring issues using cross-case and cross-interview analysis. Three major themes emerged after analysis: inadequate academic preparation, unrealistic academic expectations and indifferent academic performance. Four minor themes emerged: lack of English proficiency, pedagogical practice differences, dental profession perceptions, and wasta emerged after analysis. Five interconnecting themes emerged after further analysis: quality of English instruction, diglossia, career path selection, alienation, and religious and cultural influences. The themes highlighted the complex interrelationships between cultures and suggest the uncritical cross-cultural transfer of research agendas is problematic if not fully addressed.; Findings indicate that cultural adjustment issues, proficiency in English as a second language and the context in which education took place affected learning and academic achievement. Integrated instruction in academic subjects, English as a second language, and American culture would greatly assist the students in preparing for studies in American higher education. |
