Janice Lozano
Chinese international students face many challenges when studying abroad, and churches have been found to provide support and facilitate intercultural engagement for these students. In addition to providing spiritual support, churches also help students make friends, improve their English language skills, and gain cultural knowledge. While there are many Christians in China, the current leadership has tightened restrictions on religious gatherings, making it more difficult for believers to practice their faith openly. As a result, some Chinese Christians choose to study theology abroad, although this can lead to a shortage of workers in local churches in China.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chinese international students studying in the US | Over 600,000 before the pandemic, nearly 128,000 in 2009-10 |
| Chinese international students converting to Christianity in the US | Rising |
| Reasons for conversion | Exposure to Christianity in China, in-depth knowledge of religion, education based in Marxist principles |
| Chinese churches | Multiple pastors and preachers, referred to as "meetings" or "worship" in Chinese, often indistinguishable from other buildings |
| Chinese churches abroad | May cause cultural shock, language barriers, disconnection from home church and society |
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What You'll Learn
- Chinese international students are converting to Christianity in the US
- Chinese Christians studying theology abroad
- Chinese students use church to cope with stress and acculturation
- Chinese students seek cultural engagement and language improvement
- Chinese churches adapt to attract international students
Chinese international students are converting to Christianity in the US
Christianity is a regulated religion in China, with official churches that citizens can attend, and there are a surprising number of Christians in the country. However, there are also many illegal churches, known as "house churches", which run the gamut from typical churches to more eccentric groups.
Before 1989, few Chinese students would go to church when studying in North America. However, in recent years, thousands of Chinese students have become Christians in US universities. There are no definitive statistics, but those immersed in campus ministries say it is significant and growing. Gregory Jao, national director of campus engagement for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, estimated that his organisation serves between 1,600 and 1,800 overseas Chinese out of a total of about 5,000 international students. Valerie Althouse, a chaplain at NYU, said that Chinese students have been the majority of those involved in the university's spiritual programs. She attributes this partly to a desire to improve their English and their curiosity about Americans, American life, and religious beliefs.
Christian services and fellowships can help international students adjust to American campus life by offering a tight-knit, caring group with social events, often with a religious twist. Many campus Christian fellowships run general-interest events to attract international students, including dinners during Chinese holidays, weekend trips, and English conversation groups. A Mandarin-language Christian fellowship at Columbia University, for example, created a guidebook for new students with tips on navigating the Columbia library system and a complete list of Morningside Heights grocery stores, decorated with Bible verses.
According to Yang Fenggang, a sociology professor at Purdue University, when Chinese people go to a new place, their identity as immigrants makes them look for meaning. Christianity provides answers that many find acceptable. US universities are the first places where hundreds of thousands of educated young Chinese are exposed to different religious ideas and invited to consider them freely.
However, it is important to note that not all conversions to the Christian faith are lasting. There are growing reports of Chinese intellectuals turning back from their earlier conversions or leaving their convictions for agnosticism, atheism, or another religion, particularly upon returning to Mainland China. This may be due to pressure from Chinese authorities, who have been known to demolish church buildings, take down crosses, and harass lawyers defending non-official churches.
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Chinese Christians studying theology abroad
In recent years, it has become a trend for Chinese Christians to study theology abroad, particularly in North America. However, there are several factors that Chinese Christians studying theology abroad need to consider. Firstly, there is a severe shortage of workers in Chinese churches, and studying abroad typically involves a time commitment of three to four years, resulting in a prolonged absence from ministry in China. This separation from the home church and Chinese society can lead to challenges upon returning, including difficulties in readjusting to the pastoral reality and potential conflicts.
Additionally, the motivation for studying theology overseas should be carefully considered. While studying abroad provides access to direct communication with teachers and peers, stimulating theological reflection, it may not be necessary for everyone. Online learning offers a convenient and cost-effective alternative, allowing individuals to continue serving in their current positions while acquiring theological knowledge.
However, there are certain situations where studying theology abroad may still be suitable. This includes the pursuit of specialized subjects or the desire to study local church or cultural practices, which require long-term on-site observation and learning. For those with specific callings or reasons that make it challenging to remain in China, studying abroad and serving overseas might be a preferred option.
Moreover, studying theology abroad can provide valuable insights into overseas churches, benefiting pastors who aim to understand and address the current situation within their home churches in China. Nevertheless, it is important to be mindful of potential challenges, such as cultural shock and language barriers, which may impact the effectiveness of discipleship during overseas studies.
In conclusion, while studying theology abroad offers certain advantages, it is not without its drawbacks. Chinese Christians contemplating overseas theological studies must carefully weigh their individual circumstances, the needs of their home churches, and the potential benefits and challenges of both online learning and studying abroad.
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Chinese students use church to cope with stress and acculturation
The number of Chinese international students studying abroad has been increasing over the years, with roughly half of the 600,000 Chinese international students studying in the US before the pandemic. Acculturation, or the process of adapting to a new culture, can be challenging for these students, who may experience stress from learning a new language, being away from home, and navigating cultural differences.
Research has shown that Chinese international students use various strategies to cope with acculturative stress. One strategy is to seek emotional support from co-nationals or fellow Chinese citizens. In addition, some students turn to the church or other religious organizations to fulfill their spiritual and social needs. Religion can provide individuals with faith and help them cope with problems such as frustration, depression, loneliness, and identity crises. It can offer comfort and a sense of belonging, which may be especially important for those experiencing homesickness and loneliness in a foreign country.
In the context of acculturation, Christian churches have been found to facilitate intercultural engagement for Chinese international students in non-Chinese-majority countries. For example, in a study of international postgraduate students in the UK, it was found that Christian faith played a significant role in helping students cope with mental stress and provided spiritual satisfaction during their cross-cultural adaptation.
However, it is important to note that the mental health experiences of Chinese international students are complex and influenced by various factors. While some students may turn to the church for support, others may rely on informal networks of friends or choose not to seek any formal mental health support at all. Additionally, cultural beliefs and values can shape perceptions of mental health and influence help-seeking behaviors.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of life-on-life discipleship within Christian organizations abroad may be diminished due to cultural shock and language barriers. Students may also experience disconnection from their home churches and Chinese society after studying abroad for several years, which can impact their spiritual and cultural adjustment.
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Chinese students seek cultural engagement and language improvement
Chinese students often seek cultural engagement and language improvement when studying abroad. However, they can face disappointment due to high expectations and the challenging host environment. Churches can provide social support and facilitate intercultural engagement for these students, helping to bridge the gap between their expectations and the reality of their overseas study experience. This is especially true for international Chinese students in the UK, where universities may not always deliver on their promise of intercultural experiences.
Churches offer an alternative space for Chinese students to gain meaningful intercultural interactions with the local community. This is despite the fact that most Chinese students come from a non-Christian background. The decision to engage with Christian churches over other secular groups or university organisations for intercultural communication can be understood as a conscious choice. It may be related to the students' negotiation with the host environment and their desire for social experiences.
In addition to cultural engagement, Chinese students may also seek language improvement during their time abroad. Churches can provide a supportive environment for language learning, as members are often willing to help international students improve their language skills. This can be an informal way for students to develop their language abilities and gain a better understanding of the local culture.
Furthermore, for Chinese students who are already Christians, attending church while studying abroad allows them to continue practising their faith. It provides an opportunity to connect with other believers and find a sense of community in a foreign country. This can be especially important for those returning to China, where religious believers may face challenges in gathering together and practising their convictions.
While there are official churches in China that citizens can attend, there are also illegal "house churches" that exist alongside them. The current leadership in China has tightened restrictions on religious practices, making it more difficult for believers to gather and express their faith openly. As such, some Chinese students may seek to attend churches and improve their language skills while studying abroad, as it provides an opportunity to explore their faith more freely and connect with other Christians.
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Chinese churches adapt to attract international students
Chinese churches have had to adapt to attract international students, especially in the West. Over 600,000 Chinese international students were studying outside of China before the pandemic, with around half of them in the US. Chinese students often arrive in Western countries with a variety of expectations and goals, ranging from cultural engagement to language improvement. However, many become disappointed, particularly those with high expectations.
Christian churches, therefore, become alternative places for students to gain intercultural experiences, regardless of their missionary work. Churches can play the role of social support for both believers and non-believers, including immigrants, refugees, and international students. Church activities can provide a sense of belonging, and a supportive environment that allows students to claim their agency.
In the UK, churches have undergone cross-cultural organisational adaptation and transformation to attract Chinese students. This includes considering the cultural differences and needs of Chinese students in intercultural communication, such as multicultural team building, improving intercultural competence, and adaptive religious practices. These adaptive transformations or 'customised services' have been successful in attracting large numbers of Chinese students.
In the US, church attendance contributes to Chinese students' intercultural engagements, providing relief from discrimination, loneliness, and anxiety experienced in cross-cultural adaptation.
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Frequently asked questions
Churches can play the role of social support for both believers and non-believers, including immigrants, refugees, and international students. Chinese students of usually non-Christian backgrounds gravitate towards Christian churches as alternative places to gain desired intercultural experiences.
There is a severe shortage of workers in Chinese churches. Going abroad means at least a four-year absence from ministry in China.
Yes, Chinese churches are regulated by the government to a greater extent. There are official churches that Chinese citizens can go to, and foreigners are allowed to have their congregations. However, there are also many illegal churches called "House Churches."
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