Exploring the Language Use and Cultural Adaptation of ASEAN Graduate Students in South Korea Through an Autoethnographic Lens

Study abroad provides international students with diverse linguistic and cultural exposure. However, there are limited accounts of graduate students' international mobility from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Therefore, this study explored the experiences, challenges, and strategies of English use among ASEAN doctoral students, with one researcher-participant each from the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, at a private South Korean university. Through an autoethnographic lens, this study thematically analyzed personal narratives elicited through prompts and recordings from sit-down discussions to navigate language use and cultural adaptation processes during our sojourn. Both English and the host language proficiency influenced our academic and social interactions. Cultural differences also affected these interactions. The available institutional and technological resources and peer support helped us address the challenges encountered during our sojourn. Our accounts highlight the importance of openness, intercultural competence, and cultural sensitivity. Therefore, this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge of English language use in academia in a country where English is considered a foreign language. Finally, this study recommends ways to improve the cultural integration of international students and suggests further research on language use in study abroad programs.