Graduate Program
College Student Affairs
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
2008
Thesis Director
Charles Eberly
Thesis Committee Member
Rose Gong
Thesis Committee Member
Peter Liu
Abstract
More and more U.S. students are seeking university study abroad in China. Information about how to prepare for overseas study in China, and what challenges need to be overcome, is limited. To develop the proposed orientation curriculum, Chinese professors teaching international students, international student affairs professionals serving international students, English-speaking international students studying in Chinese universities, and U.S. citizens visiting and working in China contributed their insights and experiences of culture shock, culture surprises, and cultural differences. The themes emerging from the interviews were organized into the content of the proposed orientation curriculum. When U.S. international students experience this Chinese higher education orientation curriculum, students will acquire academic and social coping skills, basic daily language communication, and appropriate responses to cultural expectations for behaviour in the wider college community as well as travel within China. Comparing their understanding and reflection in the host culture to their U.S. collegiate experience, students will gain multicultural competencies useful in their academic study, and confidence in social coping skills prior to overseas study in China.
Recommended Citation
Yi, Lin, "A Qualitatively Grounded Curriculum For Western International Student Orientation To Chinese Higher Education" (2008). Masters Theses. 133.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/133
