Adaption of international students to the new learning environment when learning during the COVID-19 pandemics

Abstract

The switch to online classes raised related issues regarding the new learning environment it created for students. The unavailability of university facilities and utilities like classrooms, libraries, cafes, and study rooms simply does not mean they were completely diminished in value and essence. It then becomes necessary to look at issues like a type of apartment, availability of study space, and ascertain if the situation offered any form of flexibility in management of space while studying during this period. This is because different cultures have different approaches to space management. How international students managed this and other uncertain situations this new learning environment created becomes the focus of the paper. The qualitative study is based on five in-depth semistructured interviews with international students studying in Tallinn. The research project “Learning under the circumstances of COVID-19: Intercultural differences (LUCCID)” itself received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.