Effects of culture shock and cross-cultural adaptation on learning satisfaction of mainland China students studying in Taiwan

Chich-Jen Shieh

doi:10.3989/ris.2013.08.10

Abstract

With the national impact of low fertility, the enrollment of higher education in Taiwan is facing a dilemma. To cope with such a problem, the government has actively promoted Mainland China students to study in Taiwan. In addition to enhancing the international competitiveness of domestic universities, cross-strait education, and real academic exchange, it is expected to solve the enrollment shortage of colleges. However, the situations and pressures of Culture Shock, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Learning Satisfaction are critical for Mainland China students. Taking Mainland China students who study in Taiwan for more than four months (about a semester) as the research participants, a total of 250 questionnaires were distributed and 167 valid ones were retrieved, with a retrieval rate of 67%. The research findings show significant correlations between Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Culture Shock, Culture Shock and Learning Satisfaction, and Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Learning Satisfaction.

Highlights

The rapid development of technology and the popularity of the Internet have driven globalization and internationalization
The research results present the significant correlations between Culture Shock and Cross-Cultural Adaptation that the results and the findings are concluded for the following practical suggestions
The results show Interpersonal Relationships as the key factor in Cross-Cultural Adaptation

Summary

Introduction

The rapid development of technology and the popularity of the Internet have driven globalization and internationalization. International competence, which entails rapid integration with different cultures, emphasizes educational background as the minor, and stresses on international communication capabilities, i.e. chatting with people with distinct cultures, has changed from a “plus” into a “must”. Numerous research on the adaptation of foreign students showed that international students faced academic pressure and psychological, social, and cultural pressure from being in different environments. As the intercultural environments were different from the ones international students were accustomed to when growing up, such students were likely to become risk groups with serious diseases because they were lacking care and support from their parents, family, and friends and experienced inappropriate or abnormal diet and sleep, worse living quality, culture shock, or academic pressure

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion