CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL ADAPTATION OF FOREIGN STUDENTS TO RUSSIAN EDUCATION

Socio-psychological adaptation of students to foreign education is closely connected with their physiological, intercultural adaptation and is associated with many issues, including the overcoming of the language barrier, the need to establish social contacts with representatives of other cultures. The research objective was to study the specific characteristics of the socio-psychological adaptation of foreign students to education at South Russian universities. The survey and the method of expert assessments were taken as the main methods. A total of 150 students took part in the study (100 students from African countries and 50 students-experts studying or living in the same hall of residence with them). The results of the study showed a fairly successful physiological adaptation of African students, their command of the Russian language at a level sufficient for learning and communication, adaptation to life without relatives, but at the same time a lack of desire to stay in Russia after graduation. In contrast, academic performance of African students has deteriorated compared with the previous stage, and they underestimate the difficulties in communicating with professors and university staff, negative attitude of representatives of other nationalities and the welcoming attitude of students at the faculties and hall of residence. African students are eager for interethnic interaction, but communicate primarily with students of their nationality, which is associated with the intensification of processes of intra-group integration and polarization of the feelings of "We" and "They." One of the main reasons for this is the social environment of universities, faculties where African students study.