Towards A New ABC Model: Understanding Adaptation Of International Students In China In Relation To Social Exclusion,Intra-cultural Friendship,and Perceived Cultural Distance

Chinese universities have recently become the foremost recruiters of international students in Asia;therefore,research on the cross-cultural adaptation processes of international students in the Chinese context is increasingly necessary.This research study assesses the international student experience of cultural difference in China on three levels: cognitive,affective,and behavioral,based on Colleen Ward's ABC Model.The researcher surveyed 143 international students,at 20 universities in China,from 65 different countries.The researcher assessed the perceived cultural distance between home and host culture reported by the students,in order to learn about the students' cognitive experience of cultural difference in China.To assess the students' affective experience of cultural difference in China,the researcher sought to determine to what extent international students felt socially excluded by Chinese people.To assess how students behaved during their encounter with cultural difference in China,the researcher asked students to identify what percentage of their closest friends in China were from the same cultural region as themselves.Finally,this study attempts to contribute to the literature by assessing how much these three variables affect the psychological,sociocultural,and academic adaptation of international students in China.The results of this study revealed some surprising insights.The more distant China seemed from their home culture,the less psychologically adapted the students were to life in China.However,the more different the Chinese culture and environment seemed from the students' home culture,the better they tended to function in everyday life.In the affective dimension,students who felt excluded by Chinese nationals were significantly less adapted psychologically,socioculturally,and even academically.Finally,students who spent most of their time with friends from the same cultural background were less psychologically and socioculturally adapted.The findings of this study are useful for future international students in China,as well as to inform teachers and administrators of international students in China.