| Abstract
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Academic stress is a serious problem faced by international students. 132 undergraduate and graduate students studying at various educational institutions in the United States of America were surveyed on the stress they experience when confronted by 10 common academic situations, and their confidence in coping with that stress. The relationship of stress and coping to demographic variables, relevant skills, social factors, orientation sessions in Indonesia and the United States, and certain perceptions of the students about themselves, the United States and their skills were examined. Levels of reported stress and confidence were on the whole moderate, and were negatively correlated with each other, as expected. Reported stress was found to be related to certain characteristics of the students (age, level of degree sought, and previous GPA) and their perceptions of their English language ability, and academic and problem solving skills. Reported confidence in coping was related to these variables as well as marital status, and field of study. There was no relationship between reports of stress or confidence with gender, residence with relatives, length of stay in the United States, TOEFL scores, attendance at a pre-departure program in Indonesia, or services provided by the United States institution. Some suggestions for practice and further study were provided.
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