Abstract
This paper aimed at exploring how a mentoring program assists first-year international students’ adjustment to socio-cultural experiences, at one university in China. The study employed a qualitative approach that was informed by a case study design. The study involved 9 participants who were purposively selected, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews, and thematically analyzed. The study revealed that peer mentors assist first-year international students, to adjust to socio-cultural experiences in areas such as language and cultural adjustment. However, limited time, poor attendance during the group meetings, language barriers, and timetabling emerged as major challenges for the mentoring program at the university. Thus, it was suggested that clear program objectives and evaluation procedures, together with motivation, and recognition of the mentors’ roles called for improvement. The study concludes that the mentoring program at the university plays a key role in assisting first-year international students’ adjustment to socio-cultural experiences; nevertheless, it requires improvement in some areas. Keywords: First-year International students, Socio-cultural adjustment, Mentoring program, China. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-4-12 Publication date: February 29 th 2020
Highlights
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of international students who opt to pursue their education in foreign countries
During interviews, adjusting to Chinese culture and language emerged as the major areas in which first-year international students were assisted, through the mentoring program at the university. 4.1.1 Coping with the Chinese Culture The cultural adjustment was one of the key areas that provided a critical challenge among first-year international students at the university
All the interviewed participants admitted that the program had a crucial role to play in assisting international students to adapt to Chinese cultural practices. This was evident during the interview with the program coordinator, who revealed that one of the motives behind the establishment of the program at the school was to familiarize international students with the Chinese culture through their peer mentors. “...they need to learn about the Chinese culture, this helps them to cope with some of the challenges which they may face”
Summary
There has been an increase in the number of international students who opt to pursue their education in foreign countries. Like many other developed countries, has been experiencing a tremendous increase in the number of international students from different parts of the world. China is among the leading destination countries for international students in the world. In China, by mid-April, 2015 there were 397,635 international students from 202 countries and regions around the world (MOE, 2015). The characteristics of international students who pursue their studies abroad vary in terms of ethnicities, study programs, as well as the duration of the programs. In particular, enrolls international students among its major universities and colleges in programs such as undergraduate, postgraduate and short-term exchange programs, ranging from six months to five years of study (MOE, 2015)
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