UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT EXPERIENCE OF THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF UNIVERSITY GRADUATES AT A NEWLY ESTABLISHED SMALL UNIVERSITY LOCATED IN SUBURBAN AREA IN TAIWAN.

The purpose of this study is to describe students' university environment experience from the perspectives of the first two years of university graduates of a newly established small university located in suburban area in Taiwan. A qualitative method of phenomenology with in-depth interviews is adopted. Fourteen male and sixteen female seniors, with an average age of 22.75 years old participate in this study. Results reveal that students go through stages, beginning with shock and disappointment, uncertainty and instability, coping and acceptance, resource usage and ability enhancement, belongingness and identity, and retrospection and integration. The more students accept, interact, and identify with the university environment, the more satisfaction they have with their life at the university and the more they grow throughout their university career. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]