Effective Communication as a Strategy for Enhancing the Experience and Integration of International Students at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK)
Sanusi, Malik; Tartousy, Iman (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121636866
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121636866
Tiivistelmä
The study examined effective communication as a strategy for enhancing the experience and integration of international students at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK). Grounded in the Student Integration Model, Communication Accommodation Theory, and complementary Intercultural frameworks, the research investigated how effective communication influences student experience and integration, and how intercultural competence and institutional support moderate this relationship.
A quantitative research design was employed, and a structured online questionnaire was distributed with Webropol to international students (n = 100). After screening and cleaning the data, descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were conducted with the PSPP statistical software. To enhance the quantitative findings, qualitative insights obtained from the thematic analysis of open-ended responses were also explored.
The results indicated that effective communication plays a crucial and positive role in predicting the experiences and integration of international students. Both intercultural competence and institutional support were significant predictors, although their interaction effects were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). This indicates that intercultural competence alone does not amplify the impact of communication but requires structural and institutional reinforcement. The thematic findings complemented the statistical results and show that language barriers remain the primary challenge, while responsive and empathetic communication, social interaction opportunities, and visible support services foster a sense of belonging.
The study concludes that effective communication with culturally competent staff in responsive institutional structures is central to the successful academic, social, and psychological integration of international students. Based on these conclusions, it is recommended to enhance intercultural communication training, improve bilingual information systems, and increase the responsiveness of institutional support. The findings make a valuable contribution to research in higher education by integrating communication, intercultural, and institutional perspectives. They provide a model for promoting inclusivity and a sense of belonging in an increasingly globalized learning environment.
A quantitative research design was employed, and a structured online questionnaire was distributed with Webropol to international students (n = 100). After screening and cleaning the data, descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were conducted with the PSPP statistical software. To enhance the quantitative findings, qualitative insights obtained from the thematic analysis of open-ended responses were also explored.
The results indicated that effective communication plays a crucial and positive role in predicting the experiences and integration of international students. Both intercultural competence and institutional support were significant predictors, although their interaction effects were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). This indicates that intercultural competence alone does not amplify the impact of communication but requires structural and institutional reinforcement. The thematic findings complemented the statistical results and show that language barriers remain the primary challenge, while responsive and empathetic communication, social interaction opportunities, and visible support services foster a sense of belonging.
The study concludes that effective communication with culturally competent staff in responsive institutional structures is central to the successful academic, social, and psychological integration of international students. Based on these conclusions, it is recommended to enhance intercultural communication training, improve bilingual information systems, and increase the responsiveness of institutional support. The findings make a valuable contribution to research in higher education by integrating communication, intercultural, and institutional perspectives. They provide a model for promoting inclusivity and a sense of belonging in an increasingly globalized learning environment.