Exploring the Influence of the Pre-Departure Orientation on the Undergraduate International Students' Cultural and Academic Adjustment at Drexel University: The Example of Students from China

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe undergraduate Chinese international students' experiences during and subsequent to participation in the Drexel Preview, a pre-departure orientation. Thirteen undergraduate international students from China who attended the Pre-Departure Orientation in Shanghai and Beijing (the Drexel Preview) participated in semi-structured interviews to identify the kinds of influences the Drexel Preview had on their cultural and academic adjustment at the university. Data gathering sought to answer three research questions: (a) How do undergraduate Chinese international students at Drexel University describe their experiences with the Drexel Preview? (b) How do these undergraduate Chinese international students describe their academic and cultural transitions into Drexel University? (c) What have undergraduate Chinese international students experienced that is beneficial to them through their participation in the Drexel Preview?;The six key findings emerged from the dataset were: (a) prefers United States higher education, (b) impression of United States higher education, (c) initial concerns before attending the Drexel Preview, (d) the Drexel Preview was helpful, (e) initial adjustment struggles after arriving in the United States, and (f) means used to overcome initial adjustment struggles. Through a process of subsuming these themes, four major key results became apparent: (a) Chinese international students' understanding and expectations of United States culture and higher education system prior to attending the Drexel Preview, (b) Chinese international students' initial concerns prior to attending the Drexel Preview, (c) experiences of Chinese international students' participation in the Drexel Preview, and (d) Chinese international students' cultural and academic adjustment during the first year at Drexel University.;Stemming from the six key findings and four results of this research study, the researcher made recommendations for providing an influential orientation program that alleviates potential adjustment issues. The three major recommendations for this research study are: (a) develop comprehensive pre-departure virtual information and cost efficient pre-departure orientation program internationally, (b) deliver fall orientation that primarily focuses on engaging students socially by providing activities and opportunity to make connections, and (c) provide transitional courses that enhance international and global competencies.