Cross-cultural adaptation and Chinese students in Europe

This contribution goes into the experiences of Chinese students studying at universities abroad. In the host societies they find themselves having to deal with major cultural confusion, which frustrates their education. Individualism and independence are characteristics strongly embedded in modern Western societies. By contrast, Chinese students are used to intensely interdependent group support and close relationships with family members, whose approval is perceived as being more important than self-acceptance. These traditions can make it difficult for Chinese students to cope with the isolation and frustration that studying abroad implies, particularly in modern Western societies.
The aim is to unravel what coping strategies Chinese students develop when facing culturally biased challenges. Challenges related to (1) learning and teaching, (2) communicating (non-)verbally and, (3) solving problems and dealing with conflicts. The findings of this study have implications for counselors at universities in and outside of China in that they will need to provide facilities that meet the needs of Chinese students going abroad, and thus contribute to a better mutual understanding.