scholarly journals A Phenomenological Study on the Positive and Negative Experiences of Chinese International University Students From Hong Kong Studying in the U.K. and U.S. in the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Yuen-kwan Lai ◽  
Shirley Man-man Sit ◽  
Stanley Kam-ki Lam ◽  
Asa Ching-man Choi ◽  
Denise Yee-shan Yiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
International Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chinese International Students ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
International University

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused distress in students globally. The mental health of international students studying abroad has been neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially Chinese students who have been unfairly targeted.Objective: To explore and document the positive and negative experiences of a group of Hong Kong Chinese international students studying in the U.K. and U.S. from an insider perspective in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: The qualitative study used four 1.5-h online focus group interviews of 20 Chinese international students from Hong Kong aged 18 or older studying in universities in the United Kingdom or the United States, from 3 May to 12 May 2020. A framework approach with a semi-structured interview guide was used to reflect students' stressors, cognitive appraisals, coping, and outcomes (negative impacts and positive gains), in the early stages of COVID-19. Different strategies were used to ensure the credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability of the study. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative thematic content analysis.Results: Twenty full-time international University students (60% female, 90% aged 18–25 years and 65% undergraduates) were recruited. Students reported (i) stress from personal (e.g., worries about health and academic attainment), interpersonal (e.g., perceived prejudice and lack of social support), and environmental factors (e.g., uncertainties about academic programme and unclear COVID-19-related information); (ii) significant differences in culture and cognitive appraisal in the levels of perceived susceptibility and severity; (iii) positive thinking and using alternative measures in meeting challenges, which included effective emotion and problem coping strategies, and the importance of support from family, friends and schools; and (iv) negative psychological impact (e.g., worries and stress) and positive personal growth in crisis management and gains in family relationships.Conclusions: With the rise in sinophobia and uncertain developments of the pandemic, proactive support from government and academic institutions are urgently needed to reduce stress and promote the well-being of international students, especially Chinese students in the U.K. and U.S. Clear information, public education and policies related to the pandemic, appropriate academic arrangements from universities and strong support systems play important roles in maintaining students' psychological health.Clinical Trial Registration: The study was registered with the National Institutes of Health (https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: NCT04365361).

scholarly journals Chinese University Students and Their Experiences of Acculturation at an Ethnic Christian Church

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyang Sun ◽  
Robert A Rhoads
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
International Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
East Coast ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chinese International Students ◽  
Christian Church ◽  
Chinese University ◽  
Chinese University Students

This paper examines the experiences of Chinese international students from East Coast University (a pseudonym) in the United States through their participation in a Chinese ethnic-based Christian church (CCC). Employing ethnographic-based fieldwork, the study highlights how Chinese international students see their experiences in CCC as a source of acculturation to U.S. society. However, the students evidence little understanding of the reality that they are in fact being acculturated to a subculture within U.S. society that at times embraces values contradictory to those of progressive-oriented East Coast University.

Acculturative Stressor and Meaning of Life as Predictors of Negative Affect in Acculturation: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study between Chinese International Students in Australia and Hong Kong

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 740-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia-Yan Pan ◽  
Daniel Fu Keung Wong ◽  
Lynette Joubert ◽  
Cecilia Lai Wan Chan
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
International Students ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
Meaning Of Life ◽  
Chinese International Students ◽  
Mainland Chinese ◽  
Mainland Chinese Students ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to compare the predictive effects of acculturative stressor and meaning of life on negative affect in the process of acculturation between Chinese international students in Australia and Hong Kong. Method: Four hundred mainland Chinese students studying at six universities in Hong Kong and 227 Chinese international students studying at the University of Melbourne in Australia completed a questionnaire that included measures of acculturative stressor, meaning of life, negative affect and demographic information. Results: The Australian sample was found to have a higher level of acculturative stressor and negative affect than the Hong Kong sample. Acculturative stressor had a positive impact on negative affect in both samples, but the impact of different domains of acculturative stressor on negative affect varied between the two groups. Finally, meaning of life partially mediated the relationship between acculturative stressor and negative affect in the Hong Kong sample, but no such effect was found in the Australia sample. Conclusions: Acculturative stressor is a critical risk factor for negative affect in acculturation for Chinese international students in Australia and Hong Kong. Meaning of life acted as a protective factor that mitigated negative affect for mainland Chinese students in Hong Kong, but not for the Chinese international students in Australia. The theoretical and practical implications for resilience-based and meaning-oriented intervention for Chinese international students are discussed.

scholarly journals Why Japanese? Why Not Japanese?

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1023-1039
Author(s):  
Jun Xu
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
Private University ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chinese Student ◽  
Chinese International Students ◽  
Japanese Language ◽  
First Year ◽  
Language Classes

As Chinese students have become a larger share of the international student population at U.S. universities, their participation in Japanese language classes has increased. However, Chinese student enrollment significantly decreases after the completion of the first Japanese class, and consequently, fewer Chinese students take intermediate or advanced level classes. This study examined the experiences of Chinese international students enrolled in Japanese classes as well as those who stopped taking Japanese after the first quarter or first-year class in a private university in the United States. We used semistructured interviews to investigate the reasons and goals of Chinese international students for studying the Japanese language, the successes or challenges both inside and outside of the Japanese classroom, and the reasons students continue or discontinue learning Japanese.

scholarly journals International students’ university preferences: how different are Malaysian and Chinese students?

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norazlyn Kamal Basha ◽  
Jillian C. Sweeney ◽  
Geoffrey N. Soutar
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Level ◽  
International University ◽  
Malaysian Students ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine factors that influenced international university preference, looking at country of origin (COO), that is the COO of the course and program modes (PMs). This study specifically focusses on differences in perceptions across students from Malaysia and China. Design/methodology/approach – Conjoint analysis was used to examine the relative importances and part-worth scores of these attributes on international university preferences. Findings – PM and country of design (COD) had a major influence on Malaysian and Chinese students’ preferences for international universities. Online distance learning was the least preferred option, while offshore campuses were more acceptable to Malaysian students compared to Chinese students. Malaysian students preferred to study in the UK, while Chinese students favored Australia. Malaysian students were also found to be more cost sensitive compared to Chinese students, while the latter were more motivated by job prospects offered by an institution. Research limitations/implications – Limitations include the specific sample, pre-university students only from developed countries (Malaysia and China), which limits the generalizability to students from other countries. Practical implications – This study offers insights in the effect of COD and PM on students’ preferences for international universities, as well as other previously studied university-level attributes in a higher education setting. With a better understanding of factors affecting these preferences, higher educational institutions are better placed to implement a suitable marketing strategy to attract more international students. Originality/value – This study examines the impact COD, Delivery Mode (DM) and other university level attributes have on Malaysian and Chinese pre-university students ' preferences for international universities. COD and DM were found to be extremely important factors that dominated the students ' preferences. The study highlights the need to focus on different university attributes in different markets and to consider COD and DM issues in order to gain a larger market share of international students.

scholarly journals Qualitative Study on Chinese Students’ Perception of U.S. University Life

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaokang Tang ◽  
Daniel Collier ◽  
Allison Witt
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
International Students ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
Parental Expectations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chinese International Students ◽  
Domestic Students ◽  
American Universities ◽  
University Life

This qualitative research was conducted on Chinese international students preparing to study in the United States about their expectation and perception of American universities. It explored motivation for pursuing degrees in the United States, expectations of life in the United States, and plans post-graduation. Findings suggest that these students foresee U.S. classes to be rigorous due to two notable barriers: English proficiency issue and difference in learning environment. Furthermore, the students promoted desires to build relationships with domestic students but already internalized beliefs that this action was unlikely. They presumed that most networking would occur with co-nationals due to comfort and ease. Finally, parental expectations emerged as a significant factor that influence Chinese international students’ desire to study in the United States and post-graduation plans.

Mitigating Transitional Challenges of Chinese Students in U.S. Higher Education

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongfang Liu ◽  
Linda R Vogel ◽  
Jason MacLeod
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chinese International Students ◽  
Student Perspective ◽  
The Past ◽  
Transitional Challenges ◽  
Response To Environmental Change ◽  
The U.S

<p>The number of Chinese international students enrolled in U.S. higher education has significantly grown over the past two decades. In 2015, Chinese international students accounted for the largest group of international students from any one single country. Previous research acknowledges Chinese students encountering significant difficulties in U.S. education institutions. However, research specifically targeting the Chinese demographic within U.S. higher education institutions has not been extensively explored toward mitigation. This study tracks Chinese international students’ transition to the United States, while primarily focusing on student-perspective of their preparation in China, acclimation experience in the U.S., and response to environmental change.</p>

Picture This: A Photovoice Study Of International Students’ Food Experience in Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Amos ◽  
Daphne Lordly
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
International Student ◽  
Culture Shock ◽  
Traditional Foods ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Canadian Universities ◽  
Food Experience ◽  
International University

Purpose: International student enrolment in Canadian universities is increasing. As international university students acculturate, they experience a culture shock in which food plays a major role. International university students’ Canadian food experiences therefore were explored. Methods: A Photovoice methodology was used with 15 international undergraduate and graduate university students, who were recruited to take pictures of their food experiences. They also participated in two focus group discussions that included an analysis of their photos. Results: Seven themes related to the significance of food in acculturation were revealed: the paradox of Canadian convenience, the equation of traditional foods with health, traditional food quality and accessibility, support networks, food consumption for comfort, ethnic restaurants, and the exploration of non-traditional foods. Maintaining cultural identity with traditional foods was an overarching theme related to acculturation. Conclusions: International students acculturating to Canada have emotional and physical needs, which can be met through food. Opportunities exist to improve their acculturation experiences. Canadian universities can incorporate food acculturation strategies into campus events and menus. Nutrition professionals on campus can facilitate a positive food environment and nurture culture identity formation.

scholarly journals The Lived Experiences of Chinese International Students Preparing for the University-To-Work Transition: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Lertora ◽  
Jeffrey Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
The United States ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Chinese International Students ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
College And University ◽  
Work Transition ◽  
The University

Chinese international students have been the largest growing number of international students on U.S. college and university campuses for the last ten years. However, there is minimal research literature that pertains to Chinese international students’ experiences on U.S. campuses and currently no research literature that reflects the entirety of their experience studying in the U.S. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to give a voice to Chinese international students who are preparing for the university-to-work transition to better understand their experiences as international students in the United States, specifically the types of transitional stressors they experienced and how they coped with these stressors. Five major themes and the essence of the participants emerged from the data analysis and are presented, discussed, and implication for campus based mental health professionals are provided.

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