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Journals / Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 55 Sayı: 2

The Use of Artificial Intelligence in International Students’ Adaptation Processes: A Qualitative Study

Uluslararası Öğrencilerin Uyum Süreçlerinde Yapay Zekâ Kullanımı: Nitel Bir İnceleme

Mesut Gönültaş, Rümeysa Pektaş

Pages
1044–1071
Publication Date
2026-08-31
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Abstract

The rapid advancement and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in higher education has made visible the question of what role these tools play in educational processes. In particular, international students, who study outside their home countries and often face various adaptation challenges, are uniquely positioned in this evolving academic environment shaped by AI. This study aims to examine how international students’ experiences with AI tools influence their adaptation processes. In this context, individual interviews were conducted with 11 international students from different countries, studying in Türkiye. The data obtained were analyzed through content analysis. As a result of the analysis, three main themes were identified: (1) international students’ experiences during the adaptation process, (2) the role of AI tools on the adaptation process, and (3) future use of AI. The findings indicate that participants found AI tools beneficial not only for academic success and language development but also in areas such as establishing social networking, accessing cultural information, and receiving emotional support. In this respect, the study highlights the significant potential of AI tools in supporting the multifaceted adaptation processes of international students and offers several recommendations for key stakeholders, including higher education institutions, educators, and policymakers.

Özet

Yapay zekâ teknolojilerinin hızla gelişmesi ve yükseköğretimde yaygınlaşması, bu araçların eğitim süreçlerinde nasıl bir rol oynadığı sorusunu görünür kılmaktadır. Özellikle, eğitimlerini kendi ülkeleri dışında sürdüren ve çeşitli uyum sorunlarıyla karşılaşabilen uluslararası öğrencilerin, yapay zekânın yaygınlaştığı bir akademik ortamda bu süreci nasıl deneyimledikleri önemli bir araştırma alanı olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışma, uluslararası öğrencilerin yapay zekâ araçlarını kullanım deneyimlerinin onların uyum süreçlerine etkisini incelemeyi amaçlamıştır. Bu kapsamda, Türkiye’de öğrenim gören çeşitli ülkelerden 11 uluslararası öğrenciyle bireysel görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler içerik analizi yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Analiz sonucunda üç ana temaya ulaşılmıştır: (1) Uluslararası öğrencilerin uyum sürecindeki deneyimleri, (2) yapay zekâ araçlarının uyum sürecine etkisi ve (3) gelecekte yapay zekâ kullanımı. Araştırma bulguları, katılımcıların yapay zekâ araçlarını yalnızca akademik başarı veya dil gelişimi için değil; aynı zamanda sosyal çevre edinme, kültürel bilgiye erişim ve duygusal destek gibi alanlarda da faydalı bulduklarını ortaya koymaktadır. Bu yönüyle çalışma, yapay zekâ araçlarının uluslararası öğrencilerin çok boyutlu uyum süreçlerini desteklemede önemli bir potansiyele sahip olduğunu göstermekte ve yükseköğretim kurumları, eğitimciler ve politika yapıcılar başta olmak üzere ilgili paydaşlara yönelik çeşitli öneriler sunmaktadır.

Keywords
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Cite This Article

Gönültaş, M., Pektaş, R. (2026). The Use of Artificial Intelligence in International Students’ Adaptation Processes: A Qualitative Study. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 55 Sayı: 2, 1044–1071. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1767828

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