Adaptation policy models for foreign students in regional Russian universities: Variations and factors
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: the article presents the results of an analysis of the variance in foreign students’ adaptation policy models implemented by regional universities in the Russian Federation. Objectives: to identify typical models of adaptation policy implemented by regional universities, and to assess the significance of university characteristics as factors of variation in adaptation policy models. Methods: the main analytical method is comparative analysis (large‑N). The sample included 52 regional universities from 17 regions of the Russian Federation. A dataset of regional universities was collected, consisting of three blocks of variables (structural/resource characteristics of universities, international affairs management systems, and the distribution of adaptation practices implemented in universities by adaptation areas). The empirical basis of the study comprises open data from the official university websites, data from the Ministry of Education and Science, the official monitoring of higher education institution performance, the Center for Institutional Analysis of Science and Education, as well as materials from the “Medialogia” information system. The following methods of data analysis were used: descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, K‑means cluster analysis, ANOVA tests, and Chi‑Square statistics. Results: the results of a cluster statistical analysis revealed significant variability in adaptation policies at regional Russian universities and identified five empirically distinct models: linguistic, sociocultural, balanced, educational, and domestic. Testing university characteristics as factors of variation in adaptation policy models produced mixed results. On the one hand, university specialization (classical, technical, pedagogical, medical), as well as structural and resource characteristics (finances, student contingent, infrastructure), were statistically significantly associated with the implemented adaptation policy models. On the other hand, predictors of the identified variation in international student adaptation policy models. Conclusions: the results of the research allow us to construct a theoretical model: university profiles and resource characteristics directly influence international student adaptation policies, while centralized internationalization policies and management systems influence them indirectly through strategic documents and performance targets.
Institution: Perm State University
Language: English
Subfield: Communication
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214971015