Psychological and sociocultural aspects of adaptation of foreign first-year students to learning conditions in Kalmyk State University
The article highlights the results of the assessment of adaptation process at the Kalmyk State University. Foreign first-year students were surveyed and asked about a wide range of subjects. The analysis of the emotional state of these students indicates that most of them have successfully adapted by the end of the first semester. The root mission of the university is to enhance the student experience and provide students with an excellent learning environment. Different forms and methods of organizing activities encourage motivation for learning and give students every opportunity to show their abilities. The staff of the university exercise democratic style of communication and business cooperation between teachers and students. Each student has an individual approach and experiences modern system of control technologies. The results of systematic work showed overall satisfaction of foreign students, and there were particular gains in the areas of learning resources and satisfaction with the students’ union. The success of the sociocultural adaptation of foreign students is ensured by the Support Program at the University. It aims to respond effectively to the diverse needs of students in their intellectual, cultural, moral and physical development; to provide comprehensive socio-cultural support in learning process; to provide humane multicultural environment. Foreign students improve the Russian language by participating in cultural programs, the project "Ethnic club" and the Kalmyk branch of the Association of Foreign Students. They are taught to express their opinions in Russian, to communicate with representatives of the local community, to expand communication skills with local and foreign students from different countries. Foreign students appreciate the living conditions in the campus having modern infrastructure which allows them to have a good extra-curricular time. External conditions contribute to the success of the individual adaptation efforts of foreign students. The city of Elista has tolerant multinational population and comfortable safe living conditions so the process of adaptation for foreign students is much easier. The author came to the conclusion that the successful adaptation of foreign first-year students at the Kalmyk University is provided by the systematic work of the administration and pedagogical staff, as well as by students’ public organizations.