A Qualitative Study Of Chinese International Students' Acculturative Stress And Their Coping Strategies In The Netherlands

In recent years,the number of Chinese students studying abroad has vastly increased,yet existing research on the acculturation of Chinese students abroad has mainly focused on the U.S.and U.K.While Chinese students constitute the second largest group of international students in the Netherlands,limited research has covered their relocation there and the obstacles they encountered.Therefore,this thesis aims to expand the current body of knowledge by examining the typical triggers of acculturative stress and personal their coping methods,Due to the growing criticism of quantitative research methods as the dominant methodology in acculturation psychology,this thesis adopts a qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews to collect data.Altogether,16 Chinese sojourner students at Tilburg University were interviewed and generated 1429 total minutes of interviews with an average of 89 minutes per person.Based on Church's classification of determinants in acculturative stress,background,situational,and personality variables were highlighted from interview transcripts to determine their influence on acculturation.Among these variables,the most salient cause of Chinese students' acculturative stress is the arduous proceedings to academic success.In view of the results of the study,this thesis endorses certain coping strategies.Predominantly,students can expect a favorable outcome of the sojourn and have more communication with host nationals despite the difficulty in finding Dutch friends.Before departure,give the future university a thorough investigation and set realistic sojourn goals.Wise time management skills and efficient learning habits are valuable in better acculturation in the campus.Come to the coordinator for help when available.Meanwhile,learn some Dutch and never intentionally avoid the enclaves of co-nationals when living off the campus.