Pedagogical counseling of foreign students in online learning: mental

Abstract

For decades, students from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East have been studying in our country and in many post-Soviet states. In most cases, they quickly adapted and linked their future life and professional activities with Ukraine. The impressive adaptability of African ethnic groups often pleasantly surprises. When comparing these adaptation abilities with those of students from China, Vietnam, and Arab countries, it can be said that Africans achieve a high level of adaptation in a shorter period of time than others. A distinctive feature of the adaptation process for foreign students during offline education periods is that they simultaneously undergo processes of adjustment and immersion both in macro and micro-social environments. Foreign students need to orient themselves, internalize norms, values, and traditions of another country, i.e., adapt to an entirely new climatic, socio-economic, political, cultural, communicative, national, and psychological environment (macro-social environment), while organizing their main activity aimed at achieving education that differs from their previous one in organization, methods, and assessment criteria (micro-social environment). In the context of the global shift to online education prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic and armed conflicts, there is a need to adapt the educational process to new realities. Online learning offers several advantages, such as flexibility, accessibility, and the ability to use modern technologies to enhance educational effectiveness. This is particularly important for foreign students, as they can participate in international programs, attend lectures by leading professors from different countries, and utilize global educational resources. It also simplifies the possibility of pedagogical counseling for foreign students. Despite the opportunity for remote communication with pedagogical consultants, the significance of the mentality of foreign students and its study becomes particularly relevant. The mental factor (alongside economic, social, and national factors) is one of the most important prerequisites for human development.