International Students and Academic Acculturation: The Role of Relationships in the Doctoral Process

Abstract

Until relatively recently, it was often assumed that doctoral study was training for an academic career; the student worked as apprentice for a more experienced academic, learning about research techniques and procedures, and was assisted in their entry into the academic and disciplinary communities (Harland & Plangger, 2004). The successful doctoral student would subsequently take up an academic teaching post. However, the recent increase in fields outside academia where advanced postgraduate training is expected has meant that students are undertaking doctoral degrees for a variety of reasons. The result is that doctoral students now form a diverse group, with different motivations for study.