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Behind Closed Doors: How Roommate and Staff Relationships Shape Chinese International Students' Belonging in Residence Halls

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Title: Behind Closed Doors: How Roommate and Staff Relationships Shape Chinese International Students' Belonging in Residence Halls
Language: English
Authors: Haishan Yang (ORCID 0000-0001-9441-8990)
Source: Journal of International Students. 2025 15(12):97-118.
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: 22
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: College Freshmen, Interaction, Foreign Students, Sense of Belonging, College Housing, Peer Relationship, Cultural Differences, Conflict Resolution, Resident Advisers, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: United States, China
ISSN: 2162-3104
2166-3750
Abstract: This phenomenological qualitative study examines the impact of both structured and unstructured interactions on the sense of belonging among first-year Chinese international students (CIS) in U.S. residence halls. Guided by Hurtado's (2012) diverse learning environments and Yao's (2014) literature on international student belonging, this study focuses on roommate relationships and residential staff engagement. Fifteen interviews revealed that belonging was more influenced by interactional processes than by the nationality of the roommate(s). Common patterns included cultural proximity, interaction quality, and opportunities to resolve conflicts. Staff who were visible, approachable, and responsive strengthened their sense of belonging through outreach and policy. Language was a cross-cutting factor affecting participation in and perceptions of residential experiences in both contexts. Situated in a post-COVID-19 context of social fragmentation, the study reframes belonging as an ongoing, context-dependent process influenced by peer relations and institutional climates. This study highlights how everyday support and clear expectations from staff can transform challenging moments into connections and engagement in residence communities for CISs.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1492652
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Behind Closed Doors: How Roommate and Staff Relationships Shape Chinese International Students' Belonging in Residence Halls
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Haishan+Yang%22">Haishan Yang</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9441-8990">0000-0001-9441-8990</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+International+Students%22"><i>Journal of International Students</i></searchLink>. 2025 15(12):97-118.
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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: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Freshmen%22">College Freshmen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interaction%22">Interaction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Students%22">Foreign Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sense+of+Belonging%22">Sense of Belonging</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Housing%22">College Housing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Peer+Relationship%22">Peer Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Differences%22">Cultural Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Conflict+Resolution%22">Conflict Resolution</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Resident+Advisers%22">Resident Advisers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This phenomenological qualitative study examines the impact of both structured and unstructured interactions on the sense of belonging among first-year Chinese international students (CIS) in U.S. residence halls. Guided by Hurtado's (2012) diverse learning environments and Yao's (2014) literature on international student belonging, this study focuses on roommate relationships and residential staff engagement. Fifteen interviews revealed that belonging was more influenced by interactional processes than by the nationality of the roommate(s). Common patterns included cultural proximity, interaction quality, and opportunities to resolve conflicts. Staff who were visible, approachable, and responsive strengthened their sense of belonging through outreach and policy. Language was a cross-cutting factor affecting participation in and perceptions of residential experiences in both contexts. Situated in a post-COVID-19 context of social fragmentation, the study reframes belonging as an ongoing, context-dependent process influenced by peer relations and institutional climates. This study highlights how everyday support and clear expectations from staff can transform challenging moments into connections and engagement in residence communities for CISs.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1492652
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 97
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: College Freshmen
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interaction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sense of Belonging
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Housing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Peer Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cultural Differences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Conflict Resolution
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Resident Advisers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: United States
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: China
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Behind Closed Doors: How Roommate and Staff Relationships Shape Chinese International Students' Belonging in Residence Halls
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              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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              Value: 2162-3104
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