Language, Food, and Transportation: Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Chinese Students in Thai Higher Education
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| Title: | Language, Food, and Transportation: Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Chinese Students in Thai Higher Education |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Wei Wang, Supot Rattanapun |
| Source: | Online Submission. 2026. |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Acculturation, Undergraduate Students, Student Adjustment, Business Education, Language Proficiency, Barriers, Food, Transportation, Cultural Differences, Learner Engagement, Social Integration, Intervention |
| Geographic Terms: | China, Thailand |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the cross-cultural adaptation experiences of Chinese undergraduate students in Thailand, with a focus on the interactions of language, food, and transportation as dimensions of daily life adjustment. A qualitative design was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 42 second-year business students at a Thai institution. Language difficulties emerged as the most major difficulty, with pupils mostly talking in Chinese with their peers and displaying low involvement in English or Thai. Inadequate speaking practice in prior education led to challenges with vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, which harmed both academic involvement and social integration. Food adaptation resulted in different experiences: some students struggled with Thai cuisine's flavors and portion proportions, while others embraced it as part of their cultural adjustment. Transportation was less difficult due to campus proximity, however climate discomfort and occasional hassles were reported. The study identifies language proficiency as the most significant barrier to adaptation and emphasizes the significance of focused language preparation, intercultural competence training, and institutional assistance. These findings add to the literature on international student mobility in Southeast Asia, and they have practical implications for colleges looking to improve the academic and social experiences of Chinese students in Thailand. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED679427 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the cross-cultural adaptation experiences of Chinese undergraduate students in Thailand, with a focus on the interactions of language, food, and transportation as dimensions of daily life adjustment. A qualitative design was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 42 second-year business students at a Thai institution. Language difficulties emerged as the most major difficulty, with pupils mostly talking in Chinese with their peers and displaying low involvement in English or Thai. Inadequate speaking practice in prior education led to challenges with vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, which harmed both academic involvement and social integration. Food adaptation resulted in different experiences: some students struggled with Thai cuisine's flavors and portion proportions, while others embraced it as part of their cultural adjustment. Transportation was less difficult due to campus proximity, however climate discomfort and occasional hassles were reported. The study identifies language proficiency as the most significant barrier to adaptation and emphasizes the significance of focused language preparation, intercultural competence training, and institutional assistance. These findings add to the literature on international student mobility in Southeast Asia, and they have practical implications for colleges looking to improve the academic and social experiences of Chinese students in Thailand. |
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