A Cross-Cultural Investigation on the Effects of Physical Environment at University Dormitory on Social Interaction among Students

University dormitories play an important role in both the campus experience and academic achievement, as well as providing the students with their basic necessities. Further, there is a high demand to increase the capacity in order to raise the retention rate and to invite more foreign students. Students' social interaction and sense of community (SOC) also play an important role in reducing the stress associated with studying and home sickness and, consequently,the campus is a place that provides positive opportunities for their personal growth and adaptation into their peer group social culture. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the physical environment of the dormitory facilities on the students' sense of community and social interaction in across-cultural background.The ${\chi}^2$ analysis indicated that individual characteristics exist regarding SOC, however, there were no statistically significant differences between the two cultural groups. The factors of SOC and physical environment were higher in the Korean student group than in the U.S. group. The regression analysis indicated that the U.S. students considered a physically comfortable environment as the primary issue for social interaction, while the Korean group placed more emphasis on a family-oriented home environment. The linear analysis confirmed that satisfaction with the physical environment influenced the social interaction and SOC level. Finally, this study suggests that creating a homely environment is more important than the functioning of the institution in university dormitory planning.