Research Proposal (BCM 212)

"Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world." – John Evelyn.

For young adults, starting university in a foreign country might be intimidating since they have to adjust to new surroundings and academic adjustments. At university, making lasting connections that influence one's personal and professional life is just as important as achieving academic achievement. While some students effortlessly discover their social circles, many students struggle with feelings of loneliness and anxiety while attempting to form genuine connections. (Alotaibi T A, Alkhalifah K M, Alhumaidan N I, et al. (December 22, 2023). Having a sense of belonging in the university environment is also as important. It brings a sense of comfort as they talk about how important friends, family, and community membership are to their health and wellbeing. (Wyn, J. (2006)

With an emphasis on fundamental social aspects, difficulties, and the significance of both digital and in-person encounters, this study investigates how university international students create and preserve lasting friendships. The research project intends to identify methods for developing stronger social ties that enhance the wellbeing of students and university experience by comprehending these dynamics. The results will provide insightful information on enhancing student relationships, which will enhance the university experience as a whole.

I will be carrying out this research project with a plan that by week 5, a survey has been handed out and I will be approaching my interviewees. Coming to week 6, I would have gathered enough data from the survey and interviews will be carried out. An approach that utilizes mixed methods will be used in this study in order to have a better grasp of how international university students are able to develop true friendships with their peers. Combining these techniques enables a more comprehensive examination by collecting both detailed human experiences and numerical patterns.

Quantitative Research - Data Collection Method

A short survey will be handed out to the BCM 212 students. This aims to gather quantitative information on their social experiences, how often they interact with others, and what obstacles they believe stand in the way of forming friendships. Following are the types of questions that will be included in the research

Qualitative Research - Data Collection Method

In order to acquire a deeper understanding of individual experiences and friendship-building difficulties, about two international students and two local students will participate in semi-structured interviews.

As someone who has just been here for a month or two, I found that it was easy to make genuine friendships with other international students since we could rely on and connect to one another. However, because of cultural differences, I felt excluded from the conversation with the natives, which made it difficult for me as an introvert as well. My primary motivation for selecting this subject for my research project is to better understand if true friendships can flourish among university students of any age, gender, or nationality, in addition to investigating the realities of Australian cultures.

To conclude, this study examines the development and maintenance of true friendships among university students, emphasizing the influence these relationships have on both academic achievement and individual wellbeing. In order to enhance the university experience, it seeks to comprehend the elements that support these connections and difficulties.

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References

Alotaibi T A, Alkhalifah K M, Alhumaidan N I, et al. (December 22, 2023) The Benefits of Friendships in Academic Settings: A Systematic Review

and Meta-Analysis. Cureus 15(12): e50946. DOI 10.7759/cureus.50946

Puff, R 2021, The Importance of Friendship | Psychology Today Australia, www.psychologytoday.com.

Wyn, J. (2006). Youth transitions to work and further education in Australia. In J. Chapman,

P. Cartwright, & E. J. McGilp (Eds.), Lifelong learning, participation and equity (pp. 217–

242). Dordrecht: Springer