Adaptation and Integration of International Students in Russian Higher Education: A Sociological Analysis

Russian higher education has become a key component of academic export during globalization and interstate integration. The growing competition in the global education market requires new offerings adapted to the needs of international students while maintaining a high quality of education. Entering a foreign linguistic and cultural environment often leads to adaptation difficulties and stress. This analysis of adaptation and integration factors relied on the Questionnaire of Social Adaptation and Professional Socialization of International Students in Russian Universities (March 2025). The study involved 850 international students from Penza State University, the St. Petersburg State University of Telecommunications, and St. Petersburg State University. When choosing a university, foreign students prioritized the quality of education, recommendations from family and friends, personal preferences, and affordable tuition fees. The key difficulties affecting academic performance, social adaptation, and overall well-being included language barriers, financial constraints, household issues, cultural gaps, and psychological coping mechanisms. Therefore, the successful adaptation and integration of international students require an integrated approach from universities, the government, and the student community.