Missing intercultural engagements in the university experiences of Chinese international students in the UK

Abstract

This paper looks at structural conditions or institutional arrangements that facilitate or hinder interactions for international students. Drawing on the contact and diversity theory, analyses compare Chinese students’ intercultural experience in business and non-business schools in one UK university and explore how these students interpret the meaning of quality intercultural contact based on their responses to the social environment around them. Findings indicate that the overwhelming number of Chinese students, particularly in business schools, combined with obstacles these students face in establishing intercultural contact around the university potentially motivates them to explore engagement with a wider host society (e.g. Christian churches). The denial of intercultural contact due to a lack of diverse environment may lead to inequality in opportunities for cross-cultural learning and personal growth. High quality intercultural contact is not only beneficial to international students, it also enhances the intercultural competency of native students in the global market place.

Keywords:

• University diversity
• intercultural engagement
• Chinese International students’ comparison
• China
• UK

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the research participants for their contributions. We give special thanks to Professor Andy Furlong who contributed a number of inspiring ideas to the whole research project.

Notes

1. Higher Education Statistics Agency

2. UK Council for International Student Affairs

3. Universities UK is the voice of universities, helping to maintain the world-leading strength of the UK university sector and supporting our members to achieve their aims and objectives.

4. Chartered Association of Business Schools.