An Exploration of Intercultural Challenges of Chinese Students studying abroad——A Case Study of Postgraduate Students’ Experience at one University in the UK

Abstract

This research examines the cross-cultural difficulties encountered by first-year Chinese postgraduates at a university in the UK within the context of educational globalization. The swift growth of international student mobility, especially the substantial population of Chinese students studying overseas, necessitates a deeper comprehension of their intercultural issues. The study concentrates on three primary domains: educational norms, linguistic obstacles, and cultural disorientation. The transition from China’s lecture-centric educational model to the UK’s interactive and discussion-driven methodology is difficult. Language difficulties significantly affect students. This study examines the intercultural difficulties encountered by first-year Chinese graduate students at a university in the UK within the context of educational globalization. The swift growth of international student mobility, especially the substantial population of Chinese students studying overseas, necessitates a deeper comprehension of the student’s academic experiences. Cultural shocks necessitate that students acclimate to unfamiliar cultural settings, presenting both cognitive and emotional challenges. The research used a qualitative technique, doing in-depth interviews with Chinese graduate students to provide insights into their experiences. The results underscore the necessity for support mechanisms, such as language instruction, orientation initiatives, and mentorship, to assist students in overcoming the difficulties of an unfamiliar educational setting. The research finds that educational institutions must implement a comprehensive strategy to help international students by addressing academic, language, and cultural problems. By doing so, they may augment the educational sustainability of overseas students, facilitating their personal development and academic success. The research indicates that further studies should persist in examining the dynamic realm of educational globalization and the varied requirements of overseas students to guarantee their complete engagement in and advantage of the global educational experience.