Navigating Cultural Currents: Communication Challenges and Resilience Among Collectivist International Students at the Texas Tech University

Abstract International students from collectivist cultures studying in U.S. higher education face unique communication and adaptation challenges. This study explores the unique communication challenges and adaptation strategies experienced by international students from collectivist cultures at Texas Tech University. These students often need help contrasting their cultural emphasis on group harmony and indirect communication with the individualistic, direct norms prevalent in U.S. higher education. Using a phenomenological approach, this research explores the lived experiences of international students (n = 17) on F-1 visas through semi-structured interviews. Grounded in Muted Group Theory and cross-cultural adaptation models, the findings reveal how communication and cultural barriers contribute to marginalization and silencing, complicating their academic and social integration. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrate resilience through various adaptive strategies, highlighting the role of personal agency, peer networks, and institutional support. The study emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive resources and initiatives to foster inclusivity and academic success. By providing practical recommendations for universities to support international students better, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of intercultural communication dynamics in higher education, with implications for policy development and institutional practice.