Abstract:
Each year, increasing numbers of international students enroll in Chinese
universities, yet no literature is available on their intercultural communication competences
(ICC) and acculturation status. The study aimed at investigating these two key concepts
at Central China Normal University. Two dimensions of intercultural communication
competence (affect and behavior) and two dimensions of acculturation (attitude towards
maintenance of one’s culture and attitude towards contact with other cultures) were
employed to measure and analyze the two research constructs. A representative sample
of 302 international students shows that Asian international students are less motivated
to adapt than other students from other continents. In addition, time and education level
do not seem to be sufficient factors in facilitating adaptation. Furthermore, the most
preferred acculturation strategy is found to be integration. Finally, attitude towards
contact positively correlates with affect and behavior. However, there is no relationship
between attitude towards cultural maintenance and the two dimensions of ICC. These
findings suggest that a better understanding of intercultural communication competence
and acculturation, as well as of factors that help facilitate adjustment to the new culture,
are essential in assisting Chinese universities to come up with effective programs that
enhance contact between cultures.
