Socio-Cultural Adaptation and Institutional Support for International Students in Selected Zambian Universities: Addressing Critical Research Gaps

Abstract

International student mobility has become a defining feature of contemporary higher education, driven by globalization and internationalization policies (Altbach & Knight, 2007; de Wit, 2020). Despite this expansion, empirical research on international students’ socio-cultural adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa particularly Zambia remains limited. This study examines the socio-cultural adaptation challenges faced by international students in selected Zambian universities and evaluates the effectiveness of institutional support services in facilitating academic and social integration.