Adaptation of Cross-Cultural Communication of Indonesian Students in Dealing with Culture Shock in Egypt

Abstract

Indonesian students who continue their higher education at Al-Azhar University in Cairo face the challenge of complex cultural adaptation, primarily due to differences in language, social norms, and the Egyptian bureaucratic system. These problems give rise to the phenomenon of culture shock that affects the comfort, mental health, and academic adjustment process of students. This study aims to identify the stages of culture shock that Indonesian students experience and analyze the communication and self-adjustment strategies they employ to navigate this phase of culture shock. The research used a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach, conducted for three months through virtual interviews. The object of this research is the phenomenon of culture shock, while the subjects are Indonesian students in the 1st, third, and fifth semesters at Al-Azhar. This study collected data through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation, assessed data validity using source and method triangulation, and analyzed the data through reduction, thematic categorization, and meaning interpretation. The results of the study indicate that students undergo four phases of culture shock: honeymoon, crisis, recovery, and adjustment, with varying intensities, influenced by language skills, social support, and the dynamics of the Masisir community. The study's implications emphasize the importance of language training, cultural debriefing, and pre-departure programs in enhancing the adaptation readiness of Indonesian students in Egypt