Exploring Activities of International Dormitory Students to Advance Social Intelligence

Abstract

Extracurricular activities contribute significantly to the development of students' social skills and intelligence. As an international student living in a dormitory, it would be boring if there were no activities outside the academic agenda. The dormitory as a residential area has various activities to foster social intelligence for students. This study aims to explore whether the form of activity programs for international students living in international dormitories in several universities. This research uses a qualitative method with an ethnographic approach, data sources are taken through in-depth interviews individually and in groups to fifteen foreign students from three countries namely China, Nigeria and Bangladesh, all informants are foreign students living in international university dormitories. To strengthen the interview data, the researcher also made direct observations related to the activities carried out, even the researcher was involved for one year in various activities of foreign students at the research location. All data were thematically analyzed using NVivo 12 qualitative software. The research findings found eight activities of international students living in college dormitories namely i) cultural festivals, ii) art activities, iii) clubs and communities, iv) volunteering, v) joint research projects, vi) local self-development works, vii) mentorship programs, viii) spiritual-based community service activities. This finding can serve as an example for other universities on how to make dormitories as a base for social activities to improve students' self-capacity.