ANXIETY AND UNCERTAINTY MANAGEMENT: LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AT DIPONEGORO UNIVERSITY IN SEMARANG

Silas Hamenyimana; Hapsari Dwiningtyas Sulistyani; Turnomo Rahardjo; Turnomo Rahardjo

doi:10.14710/interaksi.12.2.391-405

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/interaksi.12.2.391-405

ANXIETY AND UNCERTAINTY MANAGEMENT: LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AT DIPONEGORO UNIVERSITY IN SEMARANG

*Silas Hamenyimana - Universitas Diponegoro, Burundi

Hapsari Dwiningtyas Sulistyani - Master of Communication Science Program, Diponegoro University, Indonesia, Indonesia

Turnomo Rahardjo - Master of Communication Science Program, Diponegoro University, Indonesia, Indonesia

Received: 14 Dec 2021; Published: 1 Dec 2023.

BibTex Citation Data :

@article{Interaksi43351,
    author = {Silas Hamenyimana and Hapsari Sulistyani and Turnomo Rahardjo and Turnomo Rahardjo},
    title = {ANXIETY AND UNCERTAINTY MANAGEMENT: LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AT DIPONEGORO UNIVERSITY IN SEMARANG},
    journal = {Interaksi: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi},
  volume = {12},
    number = {2},
    year = {2023},
    keywords = {Anxiety, Uncertainty management, Intercultural communication.},
    abstract = {  The aim of this study is to explore and interpret the significant challenges experienced by international students and the strategies used to cope with them in managing their anxiety and uncertainty in intercultural communication settings at Diponegoro University. A sample size of five students was purposively selected and participated in the data collection using in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed qualitatively using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Through their lived experiences, we realized that majority of participants were clueless about the Indonesian language and Indonesia/ Javanese culture in which some of them faced anxiety and uncertainty challenges in their arrival et during their initial interaction, and adaptation process challenges based chiefly on language anxiety and uncertainty; new culture and environment in communication and interaction with the inside and outside the campuses. They coped with their anxiety and uncertainty by accepting host culture’s lifestyle, friendships, learning the Indonesian language, attending prayers at Mosques, hanging out with friends, and self-learning. Additional learning materials such as dictionaries, google translate, watching the news, books, family assistance, and listening to music were added to overcome their linguistic anxiety and uncertainty. The motivation from lecturers, classmates, and local people to learn a new language was valuable.   },
   issn = {2548-4907},   pages = {391--405}  doi = {10.14710/interaksi.12.2.391-405},
    url = {https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/interaksi/article/view/43351}
}

Citation Format:

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore and interpret the significant challenges experienced by international students and the strategies used to cope with them in managing their anxiety and uncertainty in intercultural communication settings at Diponegoro University. A sample size of five students was purposively selected and participated in the data collection using in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed qualitatively using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Through their lived experiences, we realized that majority of participants were clueless about the Indonesian language and Indonesia/ Javanese culture in which some of them faced anxiety and uncertainty challenges in their arrival et during their initial interaction, and adaptation process challenges based chiefly on language anxiety and uncertainty; new culture and environment in communication and interaction with the inside and outside the campuses. They coped with their anxiety and uncertainty by accepting host culture’s lifestyle, friendships, learning the Indonesian language, attending prayers at Mosques, hanging out with friends, and self-learning. Additional learning materials such as dictionaries, google translate, watching the news, books, family assistance, and listening to music were added to overcome their linguistic anxiety and uncertainty. The motivation from lecturers, classmates, and local people to learn a new language was valuable.

Fulltext View|Download

Keywords: Anxiety, Uncertainty management, Intercultural communication.

Article Metrics:

Article Info

Section: Articles

Language : EN

In Vol 12, No 2 (2023): December 2023

Recent articles

PERAN POLITIK DALAM KOMUNIKASI GERAKAN SOSIAL KOMUNITAS PERUBAHAN IKLIM STRATEGI KOMUNIKASI PESAN KREATIF RECIPROCITY PRINCIPLE DALAM PROMOSI PRODUK DI MEDIA SOSIAL TIKTOK SOUSVEILLANCE DAN BENTUK-BENTUK BARU PENGAWASAN WARGA NEGARA DALAM DEMOKRASI DIGITAL DI INDONESIA More recent articles

Most cited articles

Peranan Komunikasi Interpersonal Antara Guru Bimbingan Konseling (BK) dengan Siswa dalam Menangani Kenakalan Siswa (Studi Kasus di SMP Kristen 2 Salatiga) SOCIAL STRATEGY PADA MEDIA SOSIAL UNTUK PROMOSI PARIWISATA DAERAH ISTIMEWA YOGYAKARTA Pengaruh Tingkat Pendidikan, Pengetahuan, Sikap dan Terpaan Iklan Layanan Masyarakat KB Versi Shireen Sungkar dan Teuku Wisnu di TV terhadap Perilaku KB pada Wanita atau Pria dalam Usia Subur TINGKAT KETERGANTUNGAN PENGGUNA MEDIA SOSIAL DAN KECEMASAN SOSIAL Komunikasi Orangtua-Anak dalam Pengambilan Keputusan Pendidikan More cited articles

Ali, S., Hery Yoenanto, N., & Nurdibyanandaru, D. (2020). Language Barrier is the cause of Stress among International Students of Universitas Airlangga. 242–256. https://jurnal.uns.ac.id/pjl/article/view/44355/28513
Creswell, J. w. (2013). QUALITATIVE INQUIRY RESEARCH DESIGN: Choosing Among Five Approaches
Dağtaş, A. (2019). Dinamik Sistem Çerçevesinde Dil Öğreniminde Yaşanılan Belirsizlik Deneyimleri. Uluslararasi Kibris Universitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakultesi, 25(97–1). https://doi.org/10.22559/folklor.943
Draper-Lowe, L. (2016). Exploring the lived experience and meaning of resilience for nurses: A descriptive phenomenological inquiry. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 216. https://digscholarship.unco.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1353&context=dissertations
Edwards, J., Goldie, I., Elliott, I., Breedvelt, J., Chakkalackal, L., & Foye, U. (2016). Relationships in the 21st Century. London: Mental Health Foundation. Mental Health Foundation
Galloway, F. J., & Jenkins, J. R. (2005). The Adjustment Problems Faced by International Students in the United States: A Comparison of International Students and Administrative Perceptions at Two Private, Religiously Affiliated Universities. NASPA Journal, 42(2), 175–187. https://doi.org/10.2202/1949-6605.1471
Hackney, K., Boggs, D., & Borozan, A. (2012). An Empirical Study of Student Willingness to Study Abroad. Journal of Teaching in International Business, 23(2), 123–144. https://doi.org/10.1080/08975930.2012.718705
HORWITZ, E. K., HORWITZ, M. B., & COPE, J. (1986). Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety. The Modern Language Journal, 70(2), 125–132. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1986.tb05256.x
Hossain, F. M. A., & Ali, M. K. (2014). Relation between Individual and Society. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 02(08), 130–137. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2014.28019
Khatimah, K., & Kusuma, R. S. (2019). Intercultural Friendship As Strategy To Reduce Anxiety and Uncertainty of Zimbabwe Students in Muhammadiyah Surakarta University. Komuniti : Jurnal Komunikasi Dan Teknologi Informasi, 11(1), 45–57. https://doi.org/10.23917/komuniti.v10i3.5900
Krashen, S. D. (1981). Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning
Kuhn, S. (2000). International Students’ Experiences in Higher Education: A Case Study Examining Uncertainty Reduction Theory in Communication Classrooms
Lin, M. (2012). Students of Different Minds: Bridging the Gaps of International Students Studying in the US. Online Submission, 3, 333–344. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED532905.pdf
Logan, S., Steel, Z., & Hunt, C. (2015). Investigating the Effect of Anxiety, Uncertainty and Ethnocentrism on Willingness to Interact in an Intercultural Communication. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 46(1), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022114555762
Pietrabissa, G., & Simpson, S. G. (2020). Psychological Consequences of Social Isolation During COVID-19 Outbreak. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2020.02201/FULL
Rafique, R., & Hunt, N. (2015). Experiences and coping behaviours of adolescents in Pakistan with alopecia areata: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 13. https://doi.org/10.3402/qhw.v10.26039
Stephan, W. G., Boniecki, K. A., Ybarra, O., Bettencourt, A., Ervin, K. S., Jackson, L. A., McNatt, P. S., & Renfro, C. L. (2002). The role of threats in the racial attitudes of Blacks and Whites. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28(9), 1242–1254. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672022812009
Sue, S., Zane, N., Hall, G. C. N., & Berger, L. K. (2009). The case for cultural competency in psychotherapeutic interventions. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 525–548. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.60.110707.163651
Swift, P., Cyhlarova, E., Goldie, I., & O’Sullivan, C. (2014). Living with anxiety: Understanding the role and impact of anxiety in our lives. Mental Health Fondation, 43(1), 125–132. file:///C:/Users/TANIA/Downloads/Living-with-anxiety-understanding-the-role-and-impact-of-anxiety-in-our-lives.pdf
Talebloo, B., & Basri, R. Bin. (2015). Multicultural Benefits and Challenges for International Students during Period of Their Study: Case Study in Malaysia. Journal of Educational, Health and Community Psychology, 4(1), 41–54. https://doi.org/10.12928/jehcp.v4i1.3695
Tyng, C. M., Amin, H. U., Saad, M. N. M., & Malik, A. S. (2017). The influences of emotion on learning and memory. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(AUG). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01454
Weinberg, H. (2003). The culture of the group and groups from different cultures. Group Analysis, 36(2), 253–268. https://doi.org/10.1177/0533316403036002011
Yu, X., Li, Y., Tang, L., Deng, L., Zhao, Y., Zhao, X., Xu, H., & Zeng, M. (2020). Psychological Behavior of Frontline Medical Staff in the Use of Preventive Medication for COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2020.02104
Yuliawati. (2019). The Program Evaluation of the Green Environment Movement Campaign to Support the National Food Security ( A Case Study of the Evaluation of Green Environment Program through Hydroponic Plants by Military District Command 0503 West Jakarta ). 8(08), 79–86. http://www.ijhssi.org/papers/vol8(8)/S

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2025-06-25 18:04:32

No citation recorded.

In order to be accepted and published by Interaksi: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, the author (s) who submit a manuscript should complete the review process. Interaksi: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi articles are distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0). Articles can be read, shared, and adapted even for commercial purposes under the following conditions:

Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.

The copyright of received articles is assigned to the author (s). The author (s) have the right to the articles that have been published. The Editorial Team of Interaksi: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi and the Author(s) strive to ensure that no errors occur in the articles that have been published, both data errors and statements in the articles. Authors who publish in this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
The journal allows the authors to hold the copyright and retain publishing rights without restrictions.
Authors can enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) before and during submission, as it can lead to productive exchanges and earlier and greater citation of published work.