Challenges international married couples face during their first year of graduate studies

Abstract

In recent years, the international university under exploration, located in the Luzon region of the Philippines, has been attracting more and more international students from different countries all around the world. Not only single students, but also married students, are coming with their entire immediate families. These married couples have, however, to adapt to the new international environment with various challenges, particularly during their first academic year. Using qualitative methodology through interviews and observations, this case study reports real-life events of married couples with children, the challenges they faced during the first year of studying abroad and the impact on their families, wellbeing and academic performance at this university. This report also includes the coping strategies that these international students have used successfully to deal with their challenges.