In this theory, it is described that

In this theory, it is described that to get a better study satisfaction and settlement experience the needs of the international students to be met. This research can look into whether the needs of the students are met at NMIT. [ CITATION Mas18 \l 1033 ]

This research will try to see whether the following needs are met for International students at NMIT.

Physiological needs

• Provision of affordable meals in the cafeteria.
• Appropriate heating.
• Breaks for bathroom, lunch and evening.

Safety needs

• Information to the students regarding safety procedures.
• Disciplined class
• Proper feedback for assignments and classes.

Love & Belonging

Regarding Tutor student relationships

• Empathetic, and considerate tutor

• Supportive and a good listener.

• Available on student’s request.

• Giving one on one feedback.

Regarding student – student relationships

• Helping each other.

• Sharing ideas.

Esteem

Self-esteem

• Ability to focus on ones needs to learn and carry out the study tasks.
• Involving with other students to help them if required.
• Ability to accept and learn different modes of learning.

Respect from others

• Provision of a class environment that facilitates positivity and non judgmental attitude.
• Awards for appreciation of work.

Knowledge & Understanding

• Formulating a curriculum that is understandable for the students.
• Developing lessons that could foster student teacher relationships.
• Understanding the needs of the students using their feedback.

Self-actualization

• Giving provisions for students to do their best.

• Allow and foster student s’ creative thinking and abilities.

 
Literature Review
Impact of culture on Student adjustment
Research has shown that those students who have already spent time abroad felt themselves more comfortable communicating and is able to adjust with the culture (Abel, 2008).
A study that investigated the factors that has an effect on the international student’s adjustment in Malaysia. Among the 186 respondents studied, there was no difference observed in terms of gender. It was seen that “travel experience, level of education, and language proficiency has an impact on student adjustment. Academic factors, personal emotion and environmental factor also facilitates cross cultural adjustment in international students (Mustafa & Ilias, 2013).

Domestic and international students faced same learning issues related to language and understanding, as evidenced by a study conducted among the dental students in Australia (Burgess Et.al, 2009.)

Internal and external factors could probably cause issue to the international students. Internal factors can be university expenses, stress, difficulties in leaning, home etc. where external factors could include language issues, racism, difficulties with communication etc. This should be under the consideration of the University to provide significant support for the international students to overcome these issues. (Robertson et al, 2000).

Understanding and evaluating the cultural differences among the students is very important to plan and implement support mechanisms (Friedlander et al, 2007).

Negative attitude towards international students is common among American students. This is mainly because they consider them as a threat in regards with economy, education and social status. This is mainly because the students will not communicate each other and thus there will not be any chances for cross cultural communication (Wu et.al, 2015).

Cultural diversity has given significant importance among a study conducted at Massey University (Prebble, 2005).

International student Issues
Difficulties with language seemed to be the most revolving issue found among international students. This serves as an obstacle for international students to achieve their learning objectives (Galloway and Jenkins, 2005).
University Fees and expenses and communication issues were the important isseus faced by the students at Malaysia [ CITATION Luj13 \l 1033 ]

A study that focused on the issues of issues of international students at revealed “ language difficulties, academic adjustment difficulty, communication issue with tutors and peers stress, anxiety, culture shock, financial hardships, lack of appropriate accommodation, isolation and loneliness, and any adaption in their daily life” (Zhneg, 2010).

Interview that was conducted among ten international students revealed that “academic challenges, social isolation, and cultural adjustment. Academic challenges mainly involved communication with tutors and classmates”. Support services have been used by students to overcome these difficulties. Stress occurred from home sickness and cultural shock has been a constant problem among International Stduents (Russell et al, 2010).

Accommodation issues, transportation and academic life were the major themes emerged at a study among thirty international students at USA (Kisang, 2010).

Studies in New Zealand have found out similar Issues related to “academic environment, language, cultural environment” (Vu,2013).

Expectations and gaps in International student satisfaction

Frequency of counseling services used by students in Texas was seen over six years. It was seen that parents and friends were the counselor rather than the support services available at Universities (Yi et.al, 2003.)

International Student’s satisfaction

Unpleasant experiences among international students are common in New Zealand as evidenced by several researches conducted on this (Campbell & Li, 2008; Ho et al., 2007; Sawir, Marginson, Nyland, Ramia, & Rawlings-Sanaei, 2009).

Recognizing the cultural and diverse needs of different groups can facilitate the development of more students uses appropriate services (Berno & Ward, 2004; Deloitte, 2008)

Studies have found out that international students experienced greater difficulties compared with domestic students related to psychological, social and academic adjustments (Andrade, 2006)

It was seen that institutions were unable to provide support for international students in terms of emotional as well as instrumental support (Poyrazli, Kavanaugh, Baker, & Al-Timimi, 2004).

International Student Expectations
A study conducted in Australia among Indian students determined that the reason and expectations of why they came to Australia is for Employment and Migration (Baas, 2010).
A similar study conducted in New Zealand revealed that students have wishes of short term and long term goals (Bethel and Ward, 2014).
There are several factors that facilitate a student’s entry. They are searching new opportunities such as jobs, learning new culture, language etc. (Doyle et al., 2010; King et al., 2010).
Brown and Holloway (2008) in their study found out that the stress and anxiety level of international students decreases with the time they spent.
 
Primary Research
Research Philosophy

Research philosophy defines how the research knowledge is developed. I aim to adopt Interpretivism that is truly subjective and depends on the participants responses. The researcher finds answers developing answers gradually [ CITATION Und18 \l 1033 ]

Inquiry Strategy

Inductive strategy is the strategy used where the answers of the research develops with understanding [ CITATION Und18 \l 1033 ]. This strategy is opted as research can only be done with understanding (Veal, 2005, p. 25).

Research Design and Methods

Descriptive research design is used for my research where literature review is used as secondary research. “Structured Questionnaire will be developed by using Survey Monkey. The eligibility criteria of the participants will be detailed in the survey along with Informed consent form. There will be 13 to 15 questions and it takes approximately ten minutes to complete. The email of the students will be requested from NMIT enrolments. The informed consent will be there prior to the beginning of the questionnaire and by clicking next, the participants agree to the survey and the survey can begin. The survey link will be open for two to three weeks”.

 
Assumptions

• “Participants will show are honest and unbiased attitude while taking part the survey.

• Inclusion criteria are appropriate as I aim to know the settlement and satisfaction of international students during their transition time.

• Participants have genuine interest in study participation.

• A pilot study can makes the instrument valid.

• Confidentiality and Anonymity can be assured through the measures I taken. (Simon, 2011)

Limitations

“Following are the possible limitations that could affect my study.

Methodological Limitations

Sample size

Due to the less sample size of fifty, it will be difficult to draw relationship with such a less sample for a quantitative study. This is a limitation.

Lack of reliable data

As the secondary data available mainly rely on industry reports, the extent of reliability of it cannot be measured.

Lack of previous studies in New Zealand

Very few studies have been found out during the search in New Zealand. And even most of the studies were more than ten years old. Hence article should be collected from similar countries and results should be explored.

Research Instrument

Preparing survey using survey monkey can have limitations, as I may have to use the template given by them. Because of that I may have to include or exclude questions.

Self-reported data

The questionnaire is emailed through survey monkey. The participants re doing it alone hence they can tick responses what they feel.

Researcher Limitations

Access

If NMIT authorities are hesitant to provide the details, then that will be an issue in accessing the participants. Ethical clearance should be obtained before data collection.

Time

Being a budding researcher and conducting research in an undergraduate field, with no relevant experience can be time consuming. Exams, vacations can have an impact as it can affect in recruiting participants. Studying three subjects and spending twenty hours per week will be a difficult task and fifteen weeks is very less for the whole project.

Cultural and of bias

Bias can happen when the researcher tends to give positive results for the research. That is another limitation (Aguinis et.al, 2014), (Brutus et.al, 2013)”.

Draft Questionnaire

1. Among the following study expectations that you had before coming to NMIT, which among you think it is met?

• Study support

• Library support.

• Approachable teachers.

• Good faculty.

• Good Infrastructure

2. Among the following settlement expectations, which you think is met at NMIT?

• Proper Employment opportunities.

• Affordable accommodation.

• Beautiful environment.

• Good academic performance.

• Study satisfaction.

3. Among the following support services available at NMIT, how many you have utilized so far?

• Library and learning support.

• Student mentoring services.

• International student support.

• SANITI

• Counselling services.

4. Among the following, which were the issues you faced at NMIT?

• Language issues related to exams and Assignment.

• Lack of support in finding accommodation.

• Lack of efforts to understand Cultural Issues.

• Employment issues.

5. Among the following support services, which you think needs improvement?

• Student Mentoring.

• International student support.

• SANITI.

• Counselling.

• Library and learning support.

6. Would you refer NMIT to your friends?

Yes, if yes why………………………………………………………………………..

If No, why…………………………

7. Name of the course you enrolled?

…………………………………………………….

8. Are you Male or Female?

………………………………………

9. How long are you here?

…………………………………………………………..

10. What is your Age?

……………………………………………

11. What is your Nationality?

…………………………………………………….

Emphasis Changes

Changes in Research Ethics Application

As per the feedback of my supervisor Apekshi, I have changed paper survey to Survey Monkey. The questions will be prepared by using either the template or customized questions that I made. Before I have thought to enter the data manually in excel and then develop tables and diagrams. But now as I am using Survey Monkey, the software itself will analyze the data. As the data are collected through Survey monkey link than through paper surveys, time can be less.

Changes in Informed Consent

The total duration of the survey is reduced from 25 minutes to 10 to 13 minutes.

The number of questions is reduced to 11.

Change in Research Method

Survey is done through Survey monkey instead of paper.

Other Information

As my laptop was cracked, I had certain limitations with time and asked for extension for submitting research proposal. As I have to attend classes for operations and Organizational behavior I am struggling hard to spend 20 hours per week. Time is also spent for questionnaire, finding reviews, preparing presentations during this period.

Coming Weeks plan (11th September to September 24^th)

Actual Plan thus far (August 13 to September 10)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Abel, Charles. (2008). Academic success and the international student: Research and recommendations. New Directions for Higher Education, 117, 13-20.
Mustaffa. C & Ilias.M (2013). “Relationship between Students Adjustment Factors and Cross Cultural Adjustment: A Survey at the Northern University of Malaysia”, Intercultural Communication Studies. Pp 279. Retrieved from:
https://web.uri.edu/iaics/files/19Che-Su-Mustaffa-Munirah-Ilias.pdf

Campbell, J., & Li, M. (2008). Asian Students’ voices: An empirical study of Asian students’ learning experiences at a New Zealand university. Journal of Studies in International Education, 12(4), 375-396. doi: 10.1177/1028315307299422

Berno, T., & Ward, C. (2004). Cross-cultural and educational adaptation of Asian students in New Zealand. Wellington: Asia 2000 Foundation.
Andrade, M. S. (2006b). International students in English-speaking universities: Adjustment factors. Journal of Research in International Education, 5(2), 131-154. doi: 10.1177/1475240906065589
Deloitte. (2008). The experiences of international students in New Zealand: Report on the results of the national survey 2007. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Education.
Bethel, A., & Ward, C. (2014). The information needs of international students in New Zealand tertiary institutions. Wellington, New Zealand: Immigration New Zealand & Ministry of Business.
Brown, L., & Holloway, I. (2008). The adjustment journey of international postgraduate students at an English university. Journal of Research in International Education, 7(2), 232-249. doi: 10.1177/1475240908091306
Doyle, S., Gendall, P., Meyer, L. H., Hoek, J., Tait, C., McKenzie, L., & Loorparg, A. (2010). An investigation of factors associated with student participation in study abroad. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14(5), 471-490. doi: 10.1177/1028315309336032