ABSTRACT
This chapter reports the findings of a research study conducted at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. The objective of this study was to understand perspectives, expectations and experiences of Chinese international students studying in the graduate and undergraduate programmes at the university, paying special attention to the challenges these students faced in the process of acculturation and strategies they employed to deal with these challenges. Multiple data gathering techniques were used for the quantitative and qualitative data, including a survey in online and paper formats and individual and focus group interviews. Findings related to the participants’ adjustment to the new learning environment include English language proficiency, previous education background, communication with other students and understanding of the local culture. The participants employed various strategies to deal with the challenges they experienced, including getting help from other Chinese students, sharing dorms with native English speakers and actively participating in cultural events on campus.
