An Intercultural Management Perspective of Foreign Student’s Adaptation in Chinese Universities: A Case Study of China Three Gorges University

L Ping,B Othman,Z B A Kadir,X Ping,X Jing,F Yuefei

doi:10.48084/etasr.2589

Abstract

Globalization, the desire to access quality education and better opportunities abroad as well as the need to develop one’s capacities and many other factors have caused increased migration of international students and teachers into Chinese universities. China has recorded over a 67% increase in higher education enrolment between 2011 and 2017. This increased level of student migration in China has brought an unprecedented number of challenges especially in transitioning into the cultural settings in China. As a result, Chinese universities, in addition to their various obligations and roles in ensuring quality teaching and learning, have to engage in intercultural management to help foreigners’ transition seamlessly into the cultural landscape of China. This study examines intercultural adaptation of sojourners from an intercultural management perspective. Using a mixed method approach, specifically an explanatory mixed method design, a sample of 140 respondents was investigated regarding their cultural adaptation to a Chinese university. The positive and negative aspects of intercultural management as it relates to the university used in the case study were also explored. Findings from the study were discussed in depth and recommendations for a holistic intercultural management system were made.

Highlights

Globalization, the desire to access quality education and better opportunities abroad, and the need to develop one’s capacities to earn a better life are among the factors that led to global increased migration [1,2,3]
Senior year students represented 42.9%, junior (3rd year) represented 10%, sophomore (2nd year) represented 25% while visiting students represented 5% of the total sample of the study. This indicates that more than 50% of foreign student at China Three Gorges University (CTGU) had been in the university for more than one year, indicating that they have experienced first-hand the intercultural adaptation process at CTGU and how sojourners are managed
Their experiences regarding the intercultural adaptation at CTGU are considered significant for this study

Summary

Introduction

Globalization, the desire to access quality education and better opportunities abroad, and the need to develop one’s capacities to earn a better life are among the factors that led to global increased migration [1,2,3] This is often translated into a higher number of students and workers migrating into nations with open access policies for migration and a friendly economic climate. Student sojourners in Chinese universities had increased by over 67% between 2011 and 2017 and by 299% since 2004 [5] This rapid increase in foreign student enrolment has placed China as Asia’s top destination for international students and the fourth student destination in the world after the United States, the United Kingdom and France [6]. These sojourners are often faced with the realities and difficulties of living in a new environment with different cultural practices

Methods

Results

Conclusion