‘We All Need Cultural Awareness and Cultural Affinity’: The Academics’ View on Chinese Students’ Academic Transition into Undergraduate Studies in Britain

Abstract

Despite the growing trend of more Chinese students coming to the UK to study, they still face considerable problems and difficulties adapting to local life. Chinese students also often struggle with their academic studies due to cultural differences. This research explores the acculturation journey of Chinese Mandarin-speaking students taking undergraduate studies in Britain. It identifies issues that impact their acculturation and academic adaptation, in order to improve their teaching and learning experience. The chapter provides a practical framework that incorporates the influentially cultural factors and practical suggestions around the students’ academic transition. The framework has been developed using case studies. The initial findings suggest that the greater the cultural affinity between academics and students, the quicker students adapt to the different academic environment and the more successful they are in their studies.