Ibrahim Gardner
Chinese students make up a significant portion of international students at universities worldwide. However, these students face unique challenges, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and feelings of being treated as revenue sources rather than valued members of the university community. Universities have a responsibility to protect the welfare of international students and provide them with the necessary support to ensure their success. This may include initiatives to improve integration, such as a buddy system pairing domestic and international students, as well as targeted career services to enhance their employment prospects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language | Resources provided in a student's first language are more effective in times of crisis. However, neither governments nor universities generally provide multilingual information to international students. |
| Social | International students face challenges in forming cross-cultural friendships, which can be detrimental to their experience. |
| Welfare | International students are vulnerable to stresses outside of study, such as finances and family issues, and are often excluded from settlement and transition services. |
| Integration | Chinese students in the UK face challenges in integrating due to lower English proficiency and differences in social media platforms used. |
| Career | Chinese students in the UK find it more difficult to secure employment after their studies. |
What You'll Learn
Providing multilingual information and support
Firstly, universities should offer important information, such as enrolment procedures, campus orientation, and student services, in multiple languages, including Chinese. This ensures that Chinese students can access crucial information in their native language, making it easier to navigate the university system effectively.
Secondly, universities can employ multilingual staff or student ambassadors who are fluent in both English and Chinese. These individuals can act as cultural mediators, facilitating communication between Chinese students and university staff or professors. They can also provide social and emotional support, helping Chinese students feel more connected to the university community.
Additionally, universities can offer language-learning resources for both English and Chinese. Encouraging domestic students to learn basic Chinese phrases or providing them with cultural sensitivity training can foster a more inclusive environment. Similarly, offering English language courses or conversation groups can help Chinese students improve their English proficiency and feel more confident in their communication skills.
Universities can also establish cultural clubs or societies that celebrate Chinese culture and language. These clubs can provide a sense of community and belonging for Chinese students, as well as raise cultural awareness among the broader student population.
Lastly, in times of crisis or acute stress, universities should ensure that support services and resources are available in Chinese. This could include providing crisis hotlines or counselling services in Chinese, recognising that individuals are more likely to seek help and engage with resources provided in their first language.
By implementing these measures, universities can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for Chinese international students, promoting their overall well-being and academic success.
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Encouraging cross-cultural friendships
Chinese students often face challenges in making cross-cultural friendships at universities abroad. This can be due to various factors, including language barriers, cultural differences, and a lack of opportunities or skills for cross-cultural engagement. However, there are several ways universities can encourage and support cross-cultural friendships between international Chinese students and local students.
Firstly, universities can facilitate social events and activities that encourage interaction and mingling between international and local students. This could include welcome events, cultural exchange programmes, social clubs, sports teams, and collaborative group projects. By providing structured opportunities for students from different backgrounds to meet and interact, universities can help break the ice and foster new friendships.
Secondly, universities can promote cultural awareness and sensitivity training for all students. This can help local students develop the skills and mindset necessary for effective cross-cultural engagement. It can also help international students feel more welcomed and understood by their local peers. Training could include education on cultural differences, communication styles, and the challenges faced by international students.
Thirdly, universities can encourage integration by providing support services specifically tailored to the needs of international Chinese students. This could include language support to help students improve their English skills and build confidence in social situations. It could also involve cultural orientation programmes that help students navigate the social and cultural norms of their host country. Providing international students with the tools to effectively communicate and engage with their local peers can facilitate friendship formation.
Lastly, universities can foster a sense of community and shared identity by emphasising the benefits of cultural diversity and exchange. Campaigns and initiatives that promote the university as a global community, where all students are considered 'international', can help shift mindsets and encourage students to reach out and form friendships across cultural boundaries. This can help local students recognise the value of cross-cultural friendships and encourage a more inclusive environment.
By implementing these strategies, universities can play an active role in encouraging cross-cultural friendships between international Chinese students and their local peers, ultimately enhancing the social and cultural experience for all students on campus.
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Improving integration and reducing 'ethnic clustering'
Chinese students make up 22% of all international students in the UK, but they only represent 10% of former international students who gain post-study employment in the UK. This discrepancy can be attributed to several factors, including poor language skills, a lack of exposure to western social media apps, and limited accommodation options. These issues contribute to "ethnic clustering", where Chinese students socialize primarily with other Chinese students.
To improve integration and reduce ethnic clustering, universities can implement several strategies:
Enhance Language Support
Universities should recognize that many Chinese students struggle with spoken English, even if they have high IELTS scores. To address this, institutions can provide ongoing and financially accessible language support, such as free language classes, and implement more robust assessments for spoken English during admissions, such as AI-powered online interviews. Additionally, universities can offer "buddy systems" that pair domestic students with Chinese students, helping to improve their language skills and navigate western apps and websites.
Improve Accommodation Options
The high concentration of Chinese students in certain accommodations contributes to ethnic clustering. Universities can work with recruitment agents in China to improve the distribution of Chinese students across campuses and offer more on-campus accommodation to international students. This will encourage diverse living arrangements and reduce social isolation.
Provide Digital Literacy Training
China's unique digital ecosystem creates technological barriers for Chinese students in the UK. Universities can help students navigate UK-specific platforms and apps by providing targeted digital literacy training, reducing their reliance on Chinese digital ecosystems and fostering better integration.
Tailor Career Support
Chinese students often face challenges navigating the job market due to a lack of clear and personalized career support. Universities can enhance their employability and overall experience by tailoring career support services to their specific needs, offering internships, and embedding work experience within academic programs.
Foster Community Connections
Universities should strive to make Chinese students feel valued and supported. This can be achieved by fostering genuine community connections, bridging the gap between students' home and host cultures, and promoting cultural exchange opportunities.
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Offering targeted career support
Chinese students comprise a significant portion of international students globally, and their fees play a vital role in supporting the finances of many universities. However, these students often face acute challenges when studying abroad, and universities must do more to support them. One key area of support is offering targeted career help.
International Chinese students often struggle to find employment after their studies in the country where they pursued their education. This could be due to a variety of factors, including language barriers and cultural differences. Universities can help by offering tailored career advice and services, such as resume/CV and cover letter workshops that take into account the specific challenges these students face. They can also provide industry connections and networking opportunities to help Chinese students build professional relationships in their host country.
Another way to offer targeted career support is to provide mentorship programs that pair Chinese students with professionals or alumni in their chosen field. These mentors can offer guidance on navigating the job market, as well as provide insights into the cultural nuances of the workplace in that particular country. Additionally, universities can organise career fairs or recruitment events specifically for Chinese students, inviting employers who are actively seeking international talent.
It is also beneficial to offer interview preparation workshops, helping students develop their communication skills and build confidence. These workshops can be designed to address the unique challenges faced by Chinese students, such as cultural differences in interview etiquette and communication styles. Furthermore, universities can provide resources and training on entrepreneurship, empowering Chinese students to start their own businesses if they face difficulties in finding traditional employment. Studying in China can also be a great way for international students to gain transferable skills and cultural experience that will give them an edge in the job market.
Universities can play a pivotal role in enhancing the employability of international Chinese students by offering these targeted career support services. By doing so, they not only improve the job prospects of these students but also contribute to their overall well-being and sense of belonging within the host country.
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Making students feel valued
Chinese students comprise a significant portion of international students in universities worldwide. However, these students often face acute challenges that require more support from the universities.
One way to make Chinese students feel valued is to improve integration and build cross-cultural friendships. This can be achieved by introducing a "buddy system" that pairs domestic students with Chinese students. This system will facilitate meaningful connections and enhance the overall campus experience for both groups of students.
Additionally, universities should provide more targeted career support for Chinese students. Finding employment after graduation can be more challenging for international students, and specific assistance in this area would make them feel valued and supported.
It is also essential to address the perception that Chinese students are treated as revenue sources rather than valued members of the university community. Universities should actively work to foster a sense of belonging and inclusion, ensuring that Chinese students feel welcomed and respected for their unique contributions to the campus community.
Furthermore, universities should consider providing multilingual information and support services. Currently, important information is often provided in English and all at once during student arrival, making it challenging for students to process everything effectively. Offering resources in students' native languages, particularly during times of crisis, would significantly improve their ability to access and utilise the information.
By implementing these measures, universities can make Chinese international students feel genuinely valued and supported during their academic journey abroad.
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Frequently asked questions
Chinese international students face several challenges when studying abroad, including language barriers, cultural differences, and a lack of social support. They may also face difficulties in finding employment after graduation.
Universities can support Chinese international students by providing better integration and social support. This includes introducing a "buddy system" to pair domestic students with Chinese students and offering more targeted career services. Universities should also aim to treat Chinese students as valued members of the community rather than solely as revenue sources.
Chinese students in the UK face challenges such as lower proficiency in spoken English and a lack of familiarity with Western social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram. These factors can hinder their integration and social connections with domestic students.
Universities should invest in providing better support for Chinese international students, including offering multilingual information and services. They can also encourage cross-cultural friendships and ensure that Chinese students feel welcomed and valued as members of the university community.
