Sociocultural adaptation of Chinese international students at University of Padua

Internationalization in higher education is a global trend, marked by a significant increase in the number of international students worldwide. Italy is no exception, experiencing rapid growth in its higher education internationalization process. However, there remains a notable gap in research regarding the sociocultural adaptation of international students in Italy, particularly among Chinese students. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the sociocultural adaptation challenges faced by Chinese international students at the University of Padua. Using mixed methods, including interviews, questionnaires, and participatory mapping, the research identifies the sociocultural adaptation difficulties encountered by Chinese international students and explores the potential predictive factors. Compared with the existing literature, this study further proposed new possible predictive factors and possible explanations. Furthermore, this study provides targeted recommendations for Chinese international students, the University of Padua, and Italian society, to improve the study experience for international students and to enhance the international competitiveness of Italian higher education.