<![CDATA[Acculturation presents challenges for students from different regions, often leading to acculturative stress. This stress includes psychological, physical, and social difficulties related to adjusting to a new culture. This study examines the experiences of acculturative stress among students in Surabaya, utilizing a qualitative phenomenological approach and inductive thematic analysis. The research focuses on migrant students aged 18-25 from outside Java who are studying in Surabaya and have reported facing challenges during their cultural adaptation. To identify suitable participants, the researcher implemented screening using the Acculturative Stress Scale for International Students (ASSIS) to setting a threshold score of 79 or above means that informan have acculturative stress. This process resulted in the selection of three research informants. The findings highlight three common forms of acculturative stress experienced by the informants: homesickness, shifts in social interaction cognition, and negative emotions characterized by a fear of going out at night. These results indicate that acculturative stress manifests across various domains, including emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects. Furthermore, the study identifies both external factors (such as social stressors, roles, economic conditions, and prior acculturation experiences) and internal factors (like psychological reactions after leaving home and individual characteristics) that influence this stress. Future research is encouraged to broaden the geographical scope of the study, serve as a foundation for psychological interventions, and inform campus policies aimed at supporting the mental health of out-of-town students.]]>
