Design guidelines for educational chatbots: supporting international students’ acculturation in higher education

A study investigated the acculturative stressors experienced by international postgraduate students in the UK and their perceptions regarding the utility of chatbots for acculturation support. The research involved a six-month longitudinal study with 45 participants, utilizing established psychological scales to measure acculturative stress and social connectedness, alongside demographic data. The primary objective was to inform the design of educational chatbots to better assist international students.

Why it matters

Understanding the challenges faced by international students is crucial for institutions aiming to attract and retain diverse talent, which can impact global competitiveness and institutional reputation. Leveraging technology like chatbots to support acculturation offers a scalable and potentially efficient method to enhance student well-being and academic success.

Key insights

• The study focused on understanding acculturative stressors among international postgraduate students in the UK.
• Student views on the potential of chatbots for acculturation support were investigated.
• A two-phased mixed-methods research design was employed.
• 45 postgraduate international students participated in a six-month longitudinal study.
• Measures used included the Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students, the Social Connectedness Scale, and a demographics questionnaire with self-perceived English proficiency.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1894156