THE CHALLENGES AND COPING STRATEGIES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ADAPTATION OF ASEAN STUDENTS IN HIGHER VOCATIONAL COLLEGES IN GUANGXI, CHINA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJMOE.830045Keywords:
Asean Students, Challenges, Coping Strategies, Higher Vocational Colleges, Psychological AdaptationAbstract
The growing educational cooperation between China and ASEAN countries has led to a significant increase in ASEAN student enrolment in higher vocational colleges in Guangxi in recent years, creating new challenges and opportunities for cross-cultural adaption. This study aimed to investigate the cross-cultural psychological adaptation of these ASEAN students and employed a mixed-methods approach. Psychological scales were randomly distributed first to ASEAN students who had been in China for over one year, resulting in 304 valid responses, which were used to assess their level of cross-cultural psychological adaptation. Based on the survey findings, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ASEAN students and their teachers, counselor and administrators, continuing until information saturation was reached. Ultimately, 12 ASEAN students who had been in China for over one year and 12 teachers, counselors and administrators were interviewed. The data were then analyzed using NVivo software for thematic coding to explore the specific challenges and conditions related to their cross-cultural psychological adaptation. The study found that the overall level of cross-cultural psychological adaptation among ASEAN students in higher vocational colleges in Guangxi is in good condition, but there are still challenges included language pressure, academic pressure, homesickness, pressure related to exams and scholarships, interpersonal sensitivity, and financial pressure. Based on these findings, several coping strategies are proposed. ASEAN students should cultivate motivation and resilience; teachers and students in higher vocational colleges should provide warm and friendly support for ASEAN students; higher vocational colleges should strengthen psychological work through multi-level management for ASEAN students; and society should seek common cultural elements and create a friendly atmosphere for ASEAN students. This study contributes to international student adaptation by providing practical recommendation for educational institutions, policymakers, and support services seeking to enhance the well-being and academic success of ASEAN students in China.
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