Abstract
In recent years, the number of scholars that expatriate has increased, and with this also the number of scholars having to adjust to a new cultural environment. PhD candidates constitute an important part of this growth; yet, their cross-cultural experiences have not been studied accordingly. Hence, this study examines how international PhD candidates at the University of Oslo (UiO) characterize their experiences when adjusting to a new cultural environment. Furthermore, the study is also aimed at exploring how the candidates’ accounts of their adjustment could provide a basis for investigating their psychological and socio-cultural adjustment. To do this, the study included ten semi-structured interviews and gave detailed descriptions of the candidates’ adjustment experiences. A thematic analysis was conducted and resulted in the identification of four themes: one main adjustment arena, adjustment as extra work, adjustment as a lonely experience and the dual meaning of language proficiency. Emphasising subjective experiences, the thesis demonstrates that the candidates characterize their adjustment experience as lonely and demanding, as affected by language proficiency and as mainly taking place at the UiO. The thesis also argues that the candidates’ accounts of their experiences indicate that their general psychological and socio-cultural adjustment is low. Drawing on culture learning and stress and coping theory, it is argued that this is because the candidates are not provided enough support or learning opportunities.