Influence of Student Isolation on Students’ University Learning Experiences: Perspectives of Academic, Social and Psychological Development

¹ English Language and Communications Department, Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Malaysia  , jolenelsr@gmail.com
² English Language and Communications Department, Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Malaysia,   vighnarajah@ucsiuniversity.edu.my, iolasus@gmail.com

^* Corresponding author: vighnarajah @ucsiuniversity.edu.my

Abstract

With the latitude of globalisation spreading across countries in the world, student transfer and studying abroad have been made easier and more economical for students who intend to further their studies abroad. This growing population of international students shows the need to start addressing critical underlying issues regarding accommodation of new environment of international freshmen, plausible barriers faced by international students at their host countries and measures to minimise negative impression of intercultural communication. The growing amalgamation of local and international cultures also evinces symptoms of isolation among the local students. In light of this aim, this descriptive-analytical study investigates the correlation between student isolation and their university learning experiences, with the latter variable indexed in terms of academic, social and psychological isolation. A total of 581 students across various disciplines participated in this study. Findings provide rich, descriptive understanding of the phenomenon of student isolation, and facilitate the awareness to all stakeholders to give more leverage in the engagement and management of such issue in the educational context. Conclusively, findings have shown the importance of prioritising students’ needs from a holistic view as every aspect intertwines to enhance students’ success rate during their learning journey in university, as well as employability rate after their graduation.