ECOLOGICAL ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT FOR NEWCOMERS

Creating an ecological academic environment, especially for newcomers, is an important task for educational institutions, which in this context means creating a fundamental support structure that ensures smooth adaptation and integration into the educational environment. Newcomers face various difficulties of both academic and linguistic and socio-cultural nature. An international group of students is a more “sensitive group”, since psycho-emotional factors, changes in the usual environment, cultural and linguistic differences can influence student satisfaction, cause internal imbalance and self-acceptance, especially at the initial stage. Human ecology and the environment are directly related to each other, and this process is considered as a relationship between influence and change (Bronfenbrenner [2], Taylor [21]). International students tend to experience more difficulties and stress during the initial admission and selection process itself, since educational institutions must evaluate candidates according to all academic requirements and standards (Hechanova-Alampay, Beehr, Christiansen & Van Horn [6]; Leong and Sedlacek [10]; Van der Zee and Van Oudenhoven [24]). The aim of the article is to reveal the need to create an ecological academic environment for the integration of a newcomer at the initial stage of the educational process. The research methodology is based on theoretical and scientific research aimed at analyzing the key factors influencing the academic integration of international students. Conclusions. The interaction between human ecology and socio-academic integration highlights the need to create comfortable environments that meet the changing and necessary needs of students. Institutions need to consider possible ecological adaptation approaches for this group of students, implementing adaptation support programs, providing language assistance, conducting trainings, seminars on intercultural communication and competence to help reduce stress and self-acceptance of students, especially at the initial stage. Ecologically designed academic environment can mitigate psycho-emotional instability, feelings of isolation and withdrawal, promote engagement and increase overall student satisfaction. Key words: newcomers, integration, socio-cultural adaptation, language deficiency, academic compliance, ecological academic environment.