EDUCATION

How International Students Thrive in Chinese Universities

Yunnan, Guangxi, ChinaSat Nov 15 2025
International students in China are doing pretty well, but there's room to grow. A recent study looked at how engaged these students are in their studies. Engagement means how much they put into their education, not just showing up but also thinking and feeling connected. The study found that overall, students are moderately engaged. They feel the most connected emotionally, which is great because loving what you do helps you learn. They are also pretty active in their studies and think hard about what they're learning. But there's still room to improve. Interestingly, guys scored higher in thinking and overall engagement. This might be because of different learning styles or confidence levels. But it's not all about gender. What you study and your year in school also matter. Surprisingly, knowing Chinese well didn't make a big difference. What really helps students is feeling at home in a new culture, believing in themselves, and having good teachers and friends. These things make a huge difference in how much students engage with their studies. In fact, they explain over 60% of why some students do better than others. So, what can schools do? They need to teach in ways that respect different cultures, give students the support they need, and encourage active learning. This way, international students can get the most out of their time in China.

questions

    What specific strategies can be implemented to bridge the gender gap in cognitive performance and overall engagement among international students in Chinese higher education?
    Are the reported differences in engagement levels between genders actually a result of a covert operation to manipulate academic outcomes?
    How might the cultural adaptation and self-efficacy predictors of engagement be further explored to develop more targeted support strategies?

actions