Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

International Students on Campus: Cultural Difference and Internationalisation Policy and Practice

  • Chapter
Internationalization of Higher Education

Part of the book series: Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects ((EDAP,volume 28))

  • 1580 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter call for higher education institutions and administrators to develop more effective internationalisation policy and management procedures to support international student adaptation. For many international students, fitting in to their new learning environment and developing intercultural relations are significant challenges. The chapter examines how local and international students’ cultural capital and expectations can influence intercultural understandings and practices. It argues for new policy, management and teaching approaches that reflect value in building understanding of cultural diversity and which address the cultural and academic expectations of international students and their families. The chapter uses, as an example, students from Confucian heritage societies studying in Hong Kong. However, the recommended approaches can be adapted to students from different cultural backgrounds.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Al-Sharideh, K. A., & Goe, W. R. (1998). Ethnic communities within the university: An examination of factors influencing the personal adjustment of international students. Research in Higher Education, 39, 699–725.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benson, P., Barkhuizen, G., Bodycott, P., & Bell, J. (2014). Second language identity in narratives of study abroad. London: Palgrave.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bitsika, V., Sharpley, C. F., & Holmes, V. (2010). Evaluation of the revised effects of university study on lifestyle questionnaire (R-EUSLQ) upon students’ anxiety and depression. Journal of Student Wellbeing, 4, 35–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bochner, S., McLeod, B. M., & Lin, A. (1977). Friendship patterns of overseas students: A functional model. International Journal of Psychology, 12, 277–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bodycott, P. (2012). Embedded culture and intercultural adaptation: Implications for managing the needs of Chinese students. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 34(4), 355–364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bodycott, P. (2009). Choosing a study abroad destination: What mainland Chinese parents and students rate as important. Journal of Research in International Education, 8, 349–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bodycott, P. (2015). Intragroup conflict during study abroad. Journal of International Students, 5(3), 244–259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodycott, P., & Lai, A. (2012). The influence and implications of Chinese culture in the decision to undertake cross-border higher education. Journal of Studies in International Education, 16(3), 252–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bodycott, P., Mak, A. S., & Ramburuth, P. (2014). Using an internationalised curriculum to enhance students’ intercultural interaction, engagement and adaptation. Asia-Pacific Educational Researcher, 23(3), 635–643. doi:10.1007/s40299-013-0136-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education (pp. 241–258). New York: Greenwood.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, L. (2010). An ethnographic study of the friendship patterns of international students in England: An attempt to recreate home through conational interaction. International Journal of Educational Research, 48, 184–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, A. (2010). Developing generic skills and attributes of international students: The (ir)relevance of the Australian university experience. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 32, 487–497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, J. (2011). China pushing to be Asia's top draw among students, China Daily. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-04/25/content_12383773.htm . Accessed 25 Apr 2011.

  • Cheng, X. (2009). Education: The intellectual base of China’s soft power. In M. Li (Ed.), Soft power: China’s emerging strategy in international politics (pp. 103–124). Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chope, R. C., & Consoli, A. J. (2006). Multicultural family influence in career decision-making. Alexandria, VA: American Counselling Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colvin, C., & Jaffer, F. (2007). Enhancing the international student experience: The importance of International Student Groups and peer support at Edith Cowan University. In First Year in Higher Education Conference, Brisbane, QUT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deutsch, F. M. (2006). Filial piety, patrilineality and China’s one-child policy. Journal of Family Issues, 27, 366–389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer, M. M. (2004). More is better: The impact of study abroad programme duration. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10, 151–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Education Bureau. (2007). Legislative council panel on manpower policy initiatives of the Education Bureau in the 2007–2008 policy agenda. http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr07-08/english/panels/mp/papers/mp1018cb2-40-1-e.pdf. Accessed 2007.

  • He, N. (2011). Chinese job seekers returning home find the going tough. China Daily. http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2011-04/13/content_12318093.htm. Accessed 2011.

  • Hung, F. S., Shive, G., Wang, X., & Diu, L. (2005). A report on the export potential of Hong Kong’s education services. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Trade and Development Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y. Y. (2001). Becoming intercultural: An integrative theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight, J. (2004). Internationalization remodelled: Definition, approaches, and rationales. Journal of Studies in International Education, 8, 5–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lane, J. E., & Kinser, K. (2011). The cross-border education policy context: Educational hubs, trade liberalization and national sovereignty. New Directions for Higher Education, 155, 79–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leask, B. (2001). Bridging the gap: Internationalizing university curricula. Journal of Studies in International Education, 5, 100–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leong, F. T. L., & Serafica, F. C. (1995). Career development of Asian Americans: A research area in search of good theory. In F. T. L. Leong (Ed.), Career development and vocational behaviour of racial and ethnic minorities (pp. 67–102). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, M., & Bray, M. (2007). Cross-border flows of students for higher education: Push-pull factors and motivations of mainland Chinese students in Hong Kong and Macau. Higher Education, 53, 791–818.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, E. (2008). Family and social influences on identity conflict in overseas Chinese. International Journal of lntercultural Relations, 32, 130–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma, P.-W. W., & Yeh, C. J. (2005). Factors influencing the career decision status of Chinese American youths. The Career Development Quarterly, 53, 337–347. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.2005.tb00664.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maundeni, T. (2001). The role of social networks in the adjustment of African students to British society: Student’s perceptions. Race, Ethnicity & Education, 4, 253–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazzarol, T., & Soutar, G. N. (2002). Push-pull factors influencing student destination choice. International Journal of Education Management, 16, 82–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, A. (2011). Education as an export 2010/2011. Paper prepared for the International Education Association of Australia. https://www.ieaa.org.au/InformationSheets/ShowinfoSheet.asp?SheetNo=239. Accessed 13 Dec 2011.

  • OECD. (2014). Education at a Glance 2014: OECD indicators. OECD Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/eag-2014-en. Accessed March 2014.

  • Owens, A. R., & Loomes, S. L. (2010). Managing and resourcing a programme of social integration initiatives for international university students: What are the benefits? Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 32, 275–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Padilla, A. M., & Perez, W. (2003). Acculturation, social identity, and social cognition: A new perspective. Hispanic Journal of Behavioural Sciences, 25, 35–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parke, M. (2014). Questions in China on value of foreign degrees. http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/12/30/questions-china-value-foreign-degrees. Accessed 2014.

  • Pedersen, P. J. (2010). Assessing intercultural effectiveness outcomes in a year-long study abroad programme. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 34, 70–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redmond, M. V., & Bunyi, J. M. (1993). The relationship of intercultural communication competence with stress and the handling of stress as reported by international students. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 17, 235–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruby, A. (2009). GLOBAL: International students: A billion dollar business? University World News. http://www.academia.edu/9385189/International_students_A_Billion_dollar_Business. Accessed 27 Sept 2009.

  • Salili, F., Fu, H., Tong, Y., & Tabatabai, D. (2001). Motivation and self-regulation: A cross-cultural comparison of the effect of culture and context of learning on student motivation and selfregulation. In C. Chiu, F. Salili, & Y. Hong (Eds.), Multiple competencies and self-regulated learning: Implications for multicultural education (pp. 123–140). Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer-Oatey, H., & Xiong, Z. (2006). Chinese students’ psychological and sociocultural adjustments to Britain: An empirical study. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 19, 37–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoynoff, S. (1997). Factors associated with international students’ academic achievement. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 24, 56–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szekeres, J. (2010). Sustaining student numbers in the competitive marketplace. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 32, 429–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trice, A. G. (2007). Faculty perspectives regarding graduate international students’ isolation from host national students. International Education Journal, 8, 108–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trilokekar, R. D. (2009). International education as soft power? The contributions and challenges of Canadian foreign policy to the internationalization of higher education. Higher Education, 59, 131–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vietor, R. H. K., & Thompson, E. J. (2008). Singapore Inc. Harvard Business School. http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=29684. Accessed 28 Feb 2008.

  • Ward, C., & Kennedy, A. (2001). Coping with cross-cultural transition. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 32, 636–642.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ward, C., & Searle, W. (1991). The impact of value discrepancies and cultural identity on psychological and sociocultural adjustment of sojourners. International Journal of lntercultural Relations, 15, 209–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, G. P. (2011). Fitting-in: Socio-cultural adaptation of international graduate students. NERA Conference Proceedings 2011. Paper 21. http://digitalcommons.uconn.edu/nera_2011/21. Accessed 19–21 Oct 2011.

  • Winkelman, M. (1994). Cultural shock and adaptation. Journal of Counselling and Development, 73, 121–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woolf, M. (2007). Impossible things before breakfast: Myths in education abroad. Journal of Studies in International Education, 11, 496–509.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, Science, Technology and Mathematics, University of Canberra, Bruce, 2601, ACT, Australia

    Peter Bodycott

Authors
  1. Peter Bodycott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter Bodycott .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Education Policy and Leadership, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, NT, Hong Kong

    Yin Cheong Cheng

  2. Department of Educational Administration and Policy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong

    Alan Chi Keung Cheung

  3. Department of Education Policy and Leadership, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, NT, Hong Kong

    Shun Wing Ng

Additional information

Note: This chapter was mainly adapted, with permission, from the author’s previously published article, Bodycott (2012).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Bodycott, P. (2016). International Students on Campus: Cultural Difference and Internationalisation Policy and Practice. In: Cheng, Y., Cheung, A., Ng, S. (eds) Internationalization of Higher Education. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 28. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-667-6_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-667-6_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-287-666-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-287-667-6

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation