Predictores de la adaptación sociocultural de estudiantes universitarios extranjeros en Argentina*

Abstract

The interest of this research arises from that Argentina received a growing number of studen from other Latin-American countries. International migration has risen exponentially in recent decades due to advances in technology and com munications. According to the International Organization for Migration (OIM, 2010), the estimated number of international migrants in the world for that year was 214 million, doubling the previous two decades. Globalization has promoted exchanges among different cultures, but also caused the collision between different value systems, beliefs and customs that, in many cases, generates situations of confusion or discomfort in people (Furnham & Bochner, 1986). Approxi mate ly 2.9 million people each year decide to make or complete their studies in other countries (OECD, 2008). Argentina receives an increasing number of students from other Latin-American countries, attracted by the language, the academic prestige of the local universities and the favorable economic conditions (Filmus, 2007). At the pre sent, international students represent 1.6% of university students in Argentina. Therefore, Argen tina is the fourth host country of America, after United States, Canada and Uruguay. As a result of intercultural contact, students go through the psychological process called acculturation, which involves affective, behavioral and cogni tive changes. Taking into account the antecedents mention ed, this research proposed to identify predictors of socio-cultural adaptation based on socio-demographic, cultural and psychological variables, in international students who decided to make their university studies in Argentina. The participants of the study were 216 migrant stu dents who were studying different careers. 57% were women (n = 124) and 43% males (n = 92) with an average age of 24.18 years (SD = 4.55). 86% (n = 186) were born in Latin-Ame rica. The remaining 14% came from Europe and Asia. The average residence time in Argentina was 3.31 years. The reasons for their arrival in Argentina were diverse, 50% (n = 108) of them considered that Argentina was a good place to study for its academic prestige and low costs. The remaining half was divided between family reasons (n = 47, 21%), to have a different cultural experi ence (n = 30, 14%), for student exchange (n = 19, 9%) or others reasons (n = 13, 6%). Regarding socio-economic status, the majority of respondents said they were in the middle class (n = 107, 50%) and upper middle (n = 82, 38%). Different instruments, designed ad hoc or adapted, were used to measure the variables involved in the study. To measure cultural variables were used instruments to assess perceived cultural distance, frequency of contact with foreigners and local habitants, intergroup anxiety and perceived discrimination. To measure psychological varia bles, were used instruments to assess social support and life satisfaction. Besides, were used instruments to assess the level of sociocultural adaptation. Based on results obtained, it could not be verified influence by socio-demograph ic varia bles (age and residence time). In contrast, among the cultural variables it was found that low levels of perceived discrimination an inter-grupal anxiety predicts good levels of sociocultural adaptation. Regarding psychol ogical varia bles, it was confirm ed that social support and perceived satisfaction contribute to this adaptation. In summary, cultural and psy chological variables predict most success ful socio-cultural adaptation than socio-demograph ic variables. One of the limitations of the study was the low inclusion in the sample of immigrants from countries with greater cultural distance. Futures studies can focuses on the anal ysis of the processes of adaptation with foreign students with language and customs more distant than Latin-American students. Other future re search can study the percep tions of those who receive foreign students (host country) and analyze their relation ship and influence on the perception of discrimination and prejudice from immigrants.