THE MEANING OF PEER SUPPORT FOR MIGRANT STUDENTS AT SRIWIJAYA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The college years for migrant students represent a critical phase filled with challenges, both academically and in terms of adapting to new social and cultural environments. This study aims to explore the meaning of peer social support in the adaptation process of migrant students at Sriwijaya University. A qualitative approach with a phenomenological method was employed, involving three seventh-semester participants from outside Sumatra who live in boarding houses. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic content analysis.

The findings suggest that peer support plays a crucial role in the emotional, informational, instrumental, and appraisal aspects of individuals' lives. Such support helps students cope with loneliness, initial adaptation difficulties, psychological pressure, and academic challenges such as coursework and thesis preparation. Moreover, participation in campus organizations strengthened social networks and accelerated the adaptation process.

The study concludes that peer support serves as a significant protective factor in enhancing psychological well-being, sense of belonging, and academic success among migrant students. Therefore, understanding the meaning of peer support is crucial as a foundation for developing guidance and counseling strategies in higher education settings.