Adaptation of Foreign Students to the Conditions of Life and Education in Russia: a Complex Approach

The purpose of this research is to identify the dynamics of the process of foreign students’ adaptation to the conditions of life and education in Russia. The authors state that there is the need for complex and multidimensional study of this process, while the importance of a close connection of sociopsychological problems with the ethno-linguistic characteristics of the subjects is emphasized. The method of questioning/surveying of foreign students - representatives of different regions - was used for the research at three aspects: everyday, academic, sociocultural. As a result of the analysis of the obtained data, similarities and differences in the course of adaptation among the representatives of different regions were revealed, and also the main factors influencing the duration and success of the adaptation process, such as: the degree of closeness of the native culture to the Russian culture, its open/closed nature; sociability of a specific ethnotype; priority of spiritual/material in the national mentality; typological features of native language/intermediate language; degree of motivation to study; interest in the culture and traditions of the country of residence (Russia), etc. The study can serve as the foundation for a holistic scientific concept of adaptation in conditions of a non-native cultural and linguistic environment. Its results can find practical application in the development of specific methodological recommendations for professionals whose activity involves communicating with foreign students - representatives of different ethnic groups, carriers of different cultures.