skip to main content

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
Turnomo Rahardjo  -  Master of Communication Science Program, Diponegoro University, Indonesia, Indonesia
Open Access Copyright 2023 Interaksi: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.

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:

  1. 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
  2. Creswell, J. w. (2013). QUALITATIVE INQUIRY RESEARCH DESIGN: Choosing Among Five Approaches
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. Krashen, S. D. (1981). Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning
  12. Kuhn, S. (2000). International Students’ Experiences in Higher Education: A Case Study Examining Uncertainty Reduction Theory in Communication Classrooms
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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: 2024-10-03 22:51:33

No citation recorded.