Abstract

This study aims to examine the conditions of and adaptation pathways to mitigate culture shock among university students, specifically at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus. This higher education institution is located in the southern border provinces of Thailand, where non-local students, as well as local students from Yala and Narathiwat provinces, must adapt to classmates from diverse cultural backgrounds. The three southern border provinces form a predominantly Muslim community, characterized by a majority Malay-Muslim population and the usage of the Malay language. Furthermore, this region possesses a complex social and political history shaped by a prolonged conflict. This study employed a phenomenological research design and utilized purposive sampling to select participants with diverse religious backgrounds (Buddhism and Islam) and different geographical origins (students from the Northern, Central, and Northeastern regions), alongside local students residing in the three provinces. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and systematic behavioral observations of interactions across various settings. The data were analyzed using content analysis and inductive thematic reasoning, while validity and reliability were verified through triangulation and member checking.

The findings revealed that the majority of participants experienced moderate culture shock during their first one to three months of residency. The primary triggers of culture shock included the usage of the Malay language in communication alongside Thai, unfamiliar Islamic religious practices and schedules, differences in food culture, and concerns regarding environmental safety. This study will inform institutional policy-making and program design, particularly regarding pre-matriculation orientation. This encompasses cultural competency curricula, peer mentoring systems, and the creation of structured intercultural contact spaces within the multicultural environment of this domestic university.

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