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Chinese International Undergraduates’ Learning and Living Challenges and Coping Strategies in American University

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2019, Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, Educational Leadership.
This research aims at exploring challenges that Chinese international college students encounter in learning and living in America and investigating the coping strategies that Chinese international students apply to deal with those challenges. Mixed method research design is adopted to collect data from both qualitative and quantitative perspective. Stage one of this research confirmed the reliability and validity of translated Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory (KLSI 3.1) with 63 Chinese college students. The second stage sampled 291 Chinese and American students and answered the first two research questions about learning style changes. In the third stage of research, researcher interviewed six Chinese international college students to answer the last two research questions about challenge and coping strategies. Findings indicated that Chinese international students in fact adjust their learning styles in American colleges in order to better adapt the new learning environment. Major challenges that Chinese international students encounter can be categorized into three dimensions: academic challenge, social-cultural challenge, and future career development challenge. Coping strategies are discussed following the three major challenges. The results of this study would help Chinese international students better understanding their learning process and provide suggestions to Chinese international students regarding how to handle the changes in education environment. This study would also provide valuable insights to faculties and administrators in American universities to help them understanding Chinese international students’ situation and experience studying in U.S. Additionally, it would appeal to faculties and administrators of American universities joining force with domestic students to create an international student friendly learning environment on campus, and support Chinese undergraduates achieve academic success. The findings of this research would hopefully contribute to the connections between Chinese students and their domestic peers and professors to overcome both language and cultural barriers and achieve a harmonious common ground.
Aimin Wang (Committee Chair)
Joel Malin (Committee Co-Chair)
Karleah Harris (Committee Member)
Lucian Szlizewski (Committee Member)
Michele Dickey (Committee Member)
144 p.

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Citations

  • Zhang, J. (2019). Chinese International Undergraduates’ Learning and Living Challenges and Coping Strategies in American University [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami156414272516328

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zhang, Jinghua. Chinese International Undergraduates’ Learning and Living Challenges and Coping Strategies in American University. 2019. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami156414272516328.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zhang, Jinghua. "Chinese International Undergraduates’ Learning and Living Challenges and Coping Strategies in American University." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami156414272516328

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)