Social adaptation of foreign students by case study of the Republic of Buryatia

Social adaptation of foreign students is seen as integration of an individual in the new socio-cultural context. This is a complex and multifaceted process that has a number of challenges. The problems of social adaptation of foreign students are considered through the adaptation process aspects: activity, communication, awareness. In the process of foreign students’ social adaptation there are several interrelated levels: academic adaptation; cultural adaptation; psychological adaptation; other types of adaptation. Academic adaptation is featured by challenges of getting used to the new forms of teaching, organization of learning process, ability to perceive information in foreign language. Psychological adaptation is determined by individual characteristics of each student and cultural environment in which he or she has grown. An important role is played by the value systems of students, the strength of their will, communication skills, and ability to adopt new experiences. The interaction of a higher school and students is based on general educational level of the parties, professional training of teachers, and students'' readiness to perceive the behavior rules and values of the foreign culture. The higher school should provide an environment for involvement of students in educational and sociocultural activities. Work with foreign students at the university involves understanding of the adaptability value, increase of students’ motivation, development of independence, awakening of students’ interest to the host country, its cultural peculiarities and to the subject area of the research work.