Effect of Foreign Students Adaptation to College Life according to Situational Factors: Focusing on Interpersonal Skills, Korean Level, and Part-time Jobs

This study seeks to understand the situation to help foreigners adapt to college life, and to determine the effect of international students’ situational factors such as Korean language level, part-time job time, part-time job income, and interpersonal skills. A survey was conducted on 198 foreign students attending University K located in Metropolitan City D. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test were conducted to investigate college life adaptation and interpersonal skills according to the factors of foreign students. This study identified Pearson correlation coefficients between Korean language level, part-time job time, part-time job income, interpersonal skills, and college life adaptation. In addition, multiple regression analysis established the effect of the aforementioned factors. College life adaptation and interpersonal skills showed an intermediate level, and the relationship between the Korean language level, interpersonal skills, and college life adaptation exhibited a positive correlation. Part-time job hours displayed a positive correlation. Korean language level and interpersonal skills had a positive effect on college life adaptation, but part-time job hours and income did not affect college life adaptation. This study suggests that a program that can increase the level of Korean and interpersonal skills is needed.