Initial Challenges
Interviews revealed that almost all students felt that language barrier and cultural differences were the most challenging aspects of initial adjustment. A language barrier lead many students to feel uncomfortable in large group settings, especially during group discussions during class and orientation. In addition, a few students spoke about the cultural differences they faced. Many commented on the autonomous nature of American culture. One student reflected on her desire to meet more American students during her freshman year and her feelings that her English sometimes made her feel self-conscious during conversations and prevented her from speaking in front of large groups of American students. When asked about cultural differences she spoke of her astonishment when observing how friendships were formed at Emory versus how they are formed in China. She explained, “they meet each other and then all of a sudden, they are best friends!” This speed with which friendships were formed was puzzling to her as friendships in China, from her point of view, were made more slowly and seemed more meaningful. In a conversation with another student, he recounted how he felt very lonely during her freshman year because he felt limited to being friends with only students from China. Now, as a sophomore, he feels more adjusted and has a Chinese friend group as well as an American friend group.
Neither of the challenges discussed were indicated to be debilitating to any of the students overall mental health and academic performance. Many students stated that they overcame these challenges by finding groups of friends from China initially and then forming friendships with American students later. Most students stated that they have a Chinese friend group and an American friend group and feel that having friends from both countries has given them a truly diverse college experience.
Neither of the challenges discussed were indicated to be debilitating to any of the students overall mental health and academic performance. Many students stated that they overcame these challenges by finding groups of friends from China initially and then forming friendships with American students later. Most students stated that they have a Chinese friend group and an American friend group and feel that having friends from both countries has given them a truly diverse college experience.