LAUSR

ABSTRACT International students in the U.S. face significant challenges through the acculturation process. Based on the serious leisure perspective, this study explored leisure behaviour and benefits related to acculturation among South Korean international students who engage in sports. Conducting focus group interviews with fifteen South Korean male graduate students, we identified four themes: (a) coping with both academic and acculturative stress, (b) familiarity within all the changes, (c) developing an intragroup friendship, and (d) having an opportunity for self-development. The findings suggest that engaging in serious leisure activities may be a valuable tool for helping international students cope with the stress and the unique challenges of acculturation.