Abstract
Informing this qualitative study were 45 international students in a top-tier comprehensive research university in southeast China. The study focuses on the experience of international students towards the role played by international Fu Dao Yuan (Counselor) in enhancing the students’ cultural and social experiences at the university. The results revealed four most significant adjustment issues for international students. Building on the U-Curve adjustment theory (Oberg, 1960), the study discovered the importance of international Fu Dao Yuan to provide cultural and social support to international students for easy adjustment into a new culture and social setting. The study bears practical implications as to providing international Fu Dao Yuan with important insights that help to create an environment conducive for enhancing the cultural and social experiences of international students. Keywords: cultural experience; social experiences; Fu Dao Yuan; student affairs office; international students DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-31-06 Publication date: November 30 th 2020
Highlights
Background to International Students in China Chinese Universities have recently experienced an increase in international students’ enrolment from different parts of the world
International Fu Dao Yuan as a single stop shop of services for international students took all responsibility about international student life, while students only need to passively receive services
The system exerts much pressure on the shoulders of international Fu Dao Yuans and it’s a real challenge to differentiate special issues from trivial ones. This trend was reflected by many participants who believed that the international Fu Dao Yuans, in charge of different departments, had limited role in enhancing the cultural and social experience of international students because of its numerous duties
Summary
Background to International Students in China Chinese Universities have recently experienced an increase in international students’ enrolment from different parts of the world. Wen (2005) and Yost & Lucas (2002) noted that inadequate cultural experience and lack of social support mechanisms of international students created obstacles in social integration with host people These obstacles led international students to begin experiencing situations of uneasiness that were detrimental to their individual psychology such as feelings of isolation, loneliness, and frustration (Yang, 2018; Zhai, 2002). (Black & Mendenha, 1990; Lysgaard, 1955; Oberg, 1960) As it was suggested on the third stage of U-Curve adjustment theory (Oberg, 1960), the model was appropriate for exploring how the international Fu Dao Yuans played an important role in enhancing the cultural and social experiences of international students in China
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