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The Silent Language of Connection: Nonverbal Rituals in Intercultural Friendships at a Chinese University

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Title: The Silent Language of Connection: Nonverbal Rituals in Intercultural Friendships at a Chinese University
Language: English
Authors: Syed Waqas Anjum, Wang Jinquan (ORCID 0000-0002-9524-4950), Weinian Fu, Zhuoqi Ye
Source: Journal of International Students. 2025 15(10):27-40.
Availability: Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jis@ojed.org; Web site: https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/index
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Students, Foreign Students, Friendship, Nonverbal Communication, Intercultural Communication, Prosocial Behavior, Psychological Patterns, Cultural Awareness, Interaction, Inclusion
Geographic Terms: China
ISSN: 2162-3104
2166-3750
Abstract: This study examines how international and Chinese students at a Chinese university form intercultural friendships through nonverbal rituals, including silence, gift-giving, and shared meals. Using a qualitative ethnographic approach, the study draws on 50 interviews, six focus groups, and 120 hours of observation. The findings reveal that silence serves to manage emotions and maintain face, gift-giving acts as a nonverbal apology and connector, and shared meals create hybrid cultural spaces for mutual understanding. These nonverbal practices enable students to develop trust and resolve conflicts without relying on language. The study contributes to the development of intercultural competence by extending symbolic interactionism to encompass nonverbal communication and reinterpreting face negotiation theory through the lens of embodied interaction. The research introduces the concept of "third culture building," suggesting that student-driven rituals are essential for fostering inclusive environments in higher education. The findings highlight the importance of informal interactions in cultivating intercultural relationships.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1484185
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: The Silent Language of Connection: Nonverbal Rituals in Intercultural Friendships at a Chinese University
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Syed+Waqas+Anjum%22">Syed Waqas Anjum</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wang+Jinquan%22">Wang Jinquan</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9524-4950">0000-0002-9524-4950</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Weinian+Fu%22">Weinian Fu</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zhuoqi+Ye%22">Zhuoqi Ye</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+International+Students%22"><i>Journal of International Students</i></searchLink>. 2025 15(10):27-40.
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  Data: Journal of International Students. 4005 Spurgeon Drive #6, Monroe, LA 71203. Tel: 318-600-5743; Fax: 318-342-3131; e-mail: jis@ojed.org; Web site: https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/index
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 14
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Students%22">Foreign Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Friendship%22">Friendship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Nonverbal+Communication%22">Nonverbal Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intercultural+Communication%22">Intercultural Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Prosocial+Behavior%22">Prosocial Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+Patterns%22">Psychological Patterns</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Awareness%22">Cultural Awareness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interaction%22">Interaction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusion%22">Inclusion</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink>
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  Data: 2162-3104<br />2166-3750
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study examines how international and Chinese students at a Chinese university form intercultural friendships through nonverbal rituals, including silence, gift-giving, and shared meals. Using a qualitative ethnographic approach, the study draws on 50 interviews, six focus groups, and 120 hours of observation. The findings reveal that silence serves to manage emotions and maintain face, gift-giving acts as a nonverbal apology and connector, and shared meals create hybrid cultural spaces for mutual understanding. These nonverbal practices enable students to develop trust and resolve conflicts without relying on language. The study contributes to the development of intercultural competence by extending symbolic interactionism to encompass nonverbal communication and reinterpreting face negotiation theory through the lens of embodied interaction. The research introduces the concept of "third culture building," suggesting that student-driven rituals are essential for fostering inclusive environments in higher education. The findings highlight the importance of informal interactions in cultivating intercultural relationships.
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  Data: As Provided
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: EJ1484185
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1484185
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 14
        StartPage: 27
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Friendship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Nonverbal Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intercultural Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Prosocial Behavior
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      – SubjectFull: Psychological Patterns
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cultural Awareness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interaction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Inclusion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: China
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: The Silent Language of Connection: Nonverbal Rituals in Intercultural Friendships at a Chinese University
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            NameFull: Syed Waqas Anjum
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            NameFull: Wang Jinquan
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            NameFull: Weinian Fu
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            NameFull: Zhuoqi Ye
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            – D: 01
              M: 01
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              Y: 2025
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              Value: 10
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