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Yaser Snoubar
For example, Assaf’s study (2005) on university students in Palestine found that the stu-
dents who live in an environment of war and conflict face some mental health problems;
they are always nervous and disappointed and have concerns about damages that can
affect their families. Confusion and tension experienced by these students have clearly
led to academic failure. The study revealed that the traumatic events experienced by
young people in an environment of war and conflict cause the spiritual, physiological and
long-term mental health problems as well as adverse effects in their future adaptation.
The economic situation and social and cultural background of students lead to housing
problems and problems in valuing their leisure time. Many international students mainly
depend on their families or on scholarships for their living. In one of the studies about
the international student grantees in Turkey found that students spend their money on
basic needs such as food, clothing and housing (Akdağ, 2014). The results of the study
about university students showed that financial issues are highly influential in the ways
that students value their leisure time (Terzioğlu and Yazıcı, 2003, pp. 1-31). The results
of the survey on 367 international students showed that vast majority of students value
their leisure time by spending time with friends and family members as well as surfing the
Internet. The activities such as sports events, recreation and holidays, and participation
in artistic and cultural events remain on the second order due to the income limitations
(Snoubar, 2015).
The problems experienced by international students may have a negative impact on the
adjustment process and being in a harmony with the new culture or may urge adjustment
process to take a longer time. In addition, distance from the family, weak social support
network and language problems pose a major challenge for the international students
and therefore it can directly affect the well-being of international students as well as their
goal of academic and personal development in the host country. These problems require
some specific solutions at the individual, group and institutional domains. These solutions
depend on the policy of the host country as well as the quality of social services provided.
Research Methodology
This study was conducted by reviewing literature on the problems of international stu-
dents. At the same time, using the framework of the multicultural approach and social
work intervention.
The Importance of Social Services for International Students
Attracting and hosting international students require states to prepare appropriate poli-
cies and social services that contribute to the solution of their problems. Service quality
and quantity affect the harmony of students and their adaption to new cultural environ-
ment by contributing to the solution of economic, social, linguistic and housing prob-
lems. Providing scholarships, job opportunities and health and social services help lots
