The Acculturation and Adaptation of Syrian Refugee Students: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

In the contemporary landscape, we confront the global refugee crisis, a complex phenomenon rooted in a confluence of political, economic, and social factors. Refugees are compelled to immerse themselves in unfamiliar cultures, often markedly distinct from their places of origin. As they navigate the intricacies of integrating into novel social and cultural milieus, the concepts of acculturation and adaptation assume paramount significance, particularly within the sphere of education. The primary objective of our review paper is to provide a meticulous and systematic examination of academic studies undertaken to illuminate the experiences and outcomes of the acculturation and adaptation processes among Syrian refugee students in Turkey. To accomplish this, we conducted comprehensive keyword searches across ten English-language databases and three Turkish-language databases. In the initial sweep of the literature, we identified a total of 591 pertinent studies. Subsequently, following rigorous scrutiny, we selected and included 14 full-text articles, authored in both English and Turkish, spanning the period from 2011 to 2022, for our analysis. These fourteen articles were assessed and reported in accordance with the PRISMA criteria. Our analysis of the available sources revealed that language proficiency emerged as the most pivotal variable influencing educational outcomes and adaptation to the host culture. Indeed, our findings underscore the pivotal role that educational institutions play in facilitating the acculturation and adaptation of Syrian refugee students.