Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities

Third culture in intercultural adaptation: A case study of Asian international students

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

Firoozeh Asghari 1
Alireza Sadeghi 2

1 Faculty member of Institute for Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS), Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor of curriculum studies, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Allameh Tabataba'i University (ATU), Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22035/isih.2026.5546.5161
Abstract
Intercultural adaptation is a dynamic process of establishing effective communication in multicultural settings and holds particular importance due to its impact on all aspects of international students’ academic and social lives. Since the Asian student population currently constitutes the largest share of international students in universities across the world, understanding their experiences in host universities has become an increasing priority. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing intercultural adaptation among Asian students. Data for this study were systematically collected from 33 scholarly articles on Asian students' experience in host universities published between the years 2012 and 2024 and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The findings identify two central components of the intercultural adaptation process: "perceived differences" by Asian international students and "unrecognized commonalities" by host institutions. By perceived differences, it is meant that international students are aware of the academic, linguistic, and cultural gaps in the host environment and that their effort at adapting is through the use of tolerance and flexibility. On the other hand, unrecognized commonalities mean the limited capacity of the host university to provide common spaces for meaningful interaction as manifest in discrimination, racism, bias, stereotyping, and stigmatization. These challenges culminate in making students feel like they do not belong, the invalidation of their identity, and ultimately, a reinforced sense of alterity and alienation which disrupts together the processes of effective mutual adaptation. Since intercultural adaptation is a two-way process, the effectiveness of such adaptation could be guaranteed only when there is a two-way engagement between international students and the host society. This study emphasized that a "third culture" is imperative-a shared environment from the initial cultural differences in which meaning will be constructed collaboratively by the two groups involved and for which mutual respect, openness, patience, and tolerance will form the basis. Strengthening this shared environment requires focused efforts toward the reduction of discrimination, stereotyping, and racism in host university.

Keywords

international students
Asian students
intercultural adaptation
third culture
discrimination
racism
stereotyping
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 07 June 2025
  • Revise Date 09 November 2025
  • Accept Date 09 December 2025

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