Intercultural competence as a predictor of international students’ adaptation (a case study of representatives from central asian countries)

This article presents the results of an empirical study examining the role of intercultural competence as a predictor of successful sociopsychological and academic adaptation among international students from Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The sample included 106 participants. Correlation analysis revealed statistically significant positive associations between intercultural competence and various aspects of adaptation. The findings support the hypothesis that intercultural competence is an essential predictor of students from Central Asia’s adaptive potential. The study also identified specific features in the relationship between components of intercultural competence and adaptation parameters. The data emphasize the need to target the development of intercultural competence as part of support programs for international students from neighboring countries.