The purpose of this inquiry was to describe and understand the lived experiences of the acculturative process of the Indonesian graduate students at an American public university. The primary focus here was on better understanding how some events or changes become sources of difficulties, problems, or culture shock in Indonesian graduate students' lives. The purpose of this study could be depicted in three ways: (1) to describe the lived experiences of Indonesian graduate students in relation to their academic matters and social relations during their acculturative process during the first term and over time at their institution, (2) to understand or to explore the major sources of acculturative problems or the causes of cultural shock leading to acculturative stress experienced by Indonesian graduate students, and (3) to understand how Indonesian graduate students have dealt with those acculturative problems or stressors and what the acculturative strategies that they have used to cope with acculturative problems or stressors with respect to academic matters and social relations at the first term and over time at their institutions. The theoretical frameworks of Oberg's (1960) culture shock model and Berry's (1987, 2006) acculturation stress model were used to guide this study. Data for this study were collected through a demographic background survey, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions with thirteen Indonesian graduate students. The demographic data were analyzed descriptively. The interviews and focus groups data were analyzed by using within-case and cross-case displays and analyses (Miles & Huberman, 1994). Four salient themes with their sub-themes to emerge were: academic shock, adjustment, crisis, and resolution. Implications and strategies for professionals and scholars who work with international students in practice, education and policy are discussed. In addition, strategies to promote Indonesian graduate students' academic and social success in graduate programs are included. Suggestions for future research are also discussed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]