Cross-cultural adaptation of Chinese students in Swedish higher education. A case study within an international master’s program

Abstract

This thesis investigates the cross-cultural adaptation experiences of Chinese international students in Swedish higher education, with a particular focus on those enrolled in a two-year international master’s program in Sweden (Program X). Through a qualitative case study based on semi-structured interviews with eight participants, the study uncovers the everyday challenges these students encounter and the strategies they develop to adjust and thrive in a new academic and cultural environment. Guided by the Theory of Practice Architectures (TPA) and Ward’s cross-cultural adaptation framework, the study shows how students’ practices of adaptation are shaped and constrained by cultural-discursive, materialeconomic, and social-political arrangements. Key findings highlight the challenges in academic experiences, language barriers, and social integration, as well as students’ agency in adjusting learning strategies and negotiating cultural identity. By focusing on a non-English-speaking context often overlooked in international student research, this study aims to offer insights into the dynamics of mobility and adaptation and highlights the potential value of fostering more inclusive and responsive academic environments in the context of an increasingly globalized higher education landscape.