International Student Interview: Cross-Cultural Adaptation (Beijing, China)

I’d like to thank my student Briana for her excellent final project: International Student Interview.  I would also like to thank Lucy for sharing her story with us.  Because of their hard work, we have access to the cross-cultural experiences of a UNR international student from Beijing, China.  I hope that this helps students coming to America as well as educators in America better prepare for study abroad’s challenges and rewards.

Many of Lucy’s cross-cultural adaptation and transitional challenges are shared among international students.  The following key points are from the video:

• Cross-Cultural Challenges: Transportation, language, & culture shock.
• Lucy coped with language challenges by practicing “American English” speaking and writing skills every day by taking classes, asking questions, practicing with friends.
• She struggles with missing home, family, and friends.  She used social media, Q.Q. (like Facebook), email, and phone calls to connect those back home weekly.
• Church has been a support system with learning how to drive, learning about the American culture, and practicing English.
• She likes the U.S. culture, less traffic and number of people, convenience for shopping, snow skiing, and movies.
• Lucy recommends that international students and travelers learn English and driving laws.  Also, make American friends in addition to friends from your own country to get involved and learn the culture.
• She had a sister living in the U.S. and has been a helpful resource.

To provide more stories about study abroad in America, I will post a new international student interview from a different country each week for the few weeks. Check out previous interviews students from Beijing, China, Vietnam, Bangkok, Thailand, the Congo, Japan, Mexico, and London.  Hope you find this helpful and please comment if you do.  Thanks.

Also, HLSL Institute is a helpful resource for international students, travelers, expatriates and expatriate families coming to the U.S.    Check it out if you want help with cultural transition, language, transportation, and acculturation development.