Promoting International Students’Mental Health Unmet Needs:An Integrative Review

Background:There are increasing concerns about the mental health needs of international students.Previous studies report that international students experience additional challenges and higher levels of stress compared to domestic students.This integrative review aimed to identify perceived stressors,coping strategies and factors that contributed to accessing mental health services of international students.Methods:A systematic search was performed between January 2010 and December 2023 using PubMed,CINAHL,ProQuest,the Cochrane Library,Scopus and PsycINFO databases.A manual search was also performed that included reference lists of included articles;data was extracted and reviewed by three reviewers.A total of 21 studies were included in this review with a total of 4442 international students recruited,with ages between 17 to 43 years.Nineteen studies reported international students’gender,there were more females(n=2205)than males(n=1022).Ethnicity was reported in 18 studies.They included Asia,Europe,Latin America,North America,South America,Africa,the Middle East and Pacific Islands.This review adopted Whittemore and Knafl’s five-stage approach,with specific steps for problem identification,literature search,data evaluation,data analysis,and presentation.Results:The Health Belief Model was used to explain relationships among independent and dependent variables and guide the findings of this review.Three identified progressive themes emerged including Theme 1:understanding cultural variations with perceived stress;Theme 2:coping strategies in dealing with stress and challenges in the new environment;and Theme 3:perceived threats and stress affecting how international students perceived barriers and benefits to access counselling support services and mental health services.This integrative review presents an overview of mental health needs and factors contributing to the mental health and well-being of international students via the inclusion of studies with different designs,providing an in-depth understanding of the study phenomenon.The findings of this review may help university health providers,mental health professionals,academic institutions and policymakers better understand the multifaceted needs of international students.Conclusion:This review demonstrates the importance of increased cross-cultural interactions between international students and domestic student counterparts to enhance belongingness and connection to host countries.This may facilitate adaptation to new living and learning environments.It is crucial academic institutions offer programs that can be effectively implemented and sustained to meet the unmet mental health needs of international students.University orientation programs,student counselling and health services may integrate cultural events,social support groups,leadership programs and resilience models of acculturation to promote mental health and well-being among international students.While these studies show promising results,there is a need for further robust evaluative studies to develop culturally sensitive mental health promotion programs for international students.

Evaluation of Chinese Learning Efficiency of International Students in China:Comparing by Dimension

This paper introduces the Value Engineering method to calculate the value coefficient of Chinese learning efficiency for 377 international students by dimension.Results suggest that attention should be paid to male,European and American,rural,introverted,and“work or education needs”international students;Give full play to the driving role of the reference-type,explore the space for improving the learning efficiency of the improvement-type and attention-type,and pay attention to the problems of problem-type international students.

Evaluation of Chinese Learning Efficiency of International Students in China

This paper investigates the related factors of Chinese learning engagement and performance of 377 students from three universities in Guangzhou of China,employs the value engineering method,and calculates the value coefficient of learning efficiency.From the value coefficient of Chinese language learning,it proves that over 60%of international students studying in China have a higher efficiency in learning Chinese.

Exploration on Teaching Reform of Medical Functional Experimental Science for International Students

Medical Functional Experiment Science, a bridge between basic medicine and clinical medicine, integrates classical experimental teaching contents of three courses including physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. This course not only helps students to verify and reinforce theoretical knowledge, but also cultivates their capability of scientific thinking to discover and solve problems. Based on the characteristics of international students and current situation of the teaching platform in the laboratory at Yangtze University, this paper discusses a series of problems in the Medical Functional Experiment Science teaching for international students and puts forward some measures for teaching reform including optimizing experimental content, innovating experimental teaching methods and establishing effective experimental evaluation mode, in order to cultivate more international medical students with innovative ability.

International Students’ Feeling of Shame in the Higher Education: An Intersectional Analysis of Their Racialised, Gendered and Classed Experiences in the UK Universities

The literature on international students’ experiences frequently depicts them within a ‘deficient’ framework, highlighting their perceived lack of essential skills for managing their studies. Moreover, international students’ emotional experiences are often construed as personal and psychological attributes, with their emotions viewed as transient and pathological phases that they will eventually overcome to assimilate into the local context. However, there exists a dearth of literature investigating international students’ experiences from a sociological perspective, particularly concerning their emotional experiences within the broader social and political milieu. Utilizing a longitudinal research design to monitor 25 Chinese international postgraduates from multiple universities in London and Glasgow over the course of one year, this study illuminates the racialised, classed, and gendered dimensions of international students’ experiences in UK higher education through an exploration of their feelings of shame. Drawing on the research findings, it is evident that power relations operate insidiously and covertly to systematically frame international students’ experiences as personal or cultural ‘deficiency’. This process represents a form of misrecognition, which manifests in racialised, gendered, and classed feelings of shame, experienced at the personal level as insecurity, ‘stupidity’, exclusion, and self-doubt. Consequently, social and cultural inequalities within higher education are often situated at the individual level.

Discussion on Cultural Integration and Educational Services for International Students from the Perspective of Situational Communication

From the perspective of situational communication,this paper aims to explore how to promote cultural integration and provide better educational services for international students in China.This paper first analyzes the basic assumptions and key factors of situational communication based on international students in China.Secondly,the relationship between situational communication and cultural integration and educational services for international students in China is discussed in depth.Additionally,the role of situational communication in educational services for international students in China,such as promoting cross-cultural communication,solving language barriers,and enhancing mutual understanding,is proposed.Lastly,from the perspective of situational communication,an optimization path of educational services and cultural integration for international students in China is proposed,including the provision of diversified educational resources,the enhancement of cross-cultural communication,and the establishment of an effective communication mechanism.This study expands the perspective of educational services for international students in China,provides a new theoretical framework and practical path,and offers a reference for promoting cultural integration and improving educational services for international students in China.

Challenges and Countermeasures for Private Universities in Providing Education for International Students

Private universities are one of the forces driving the internationalization of higher education in China.Private universities are taking advantage of the trend to provide education for international students,playing an important role in the high-quality development of higher education in China.However,they also face challenges such as insufficient policy support,lack of management experience,and limited enrollment channels.Breakthroughs can be made through methods such as refining content,expanding enrollment channels,and attracting talent.

Research on the Current Situation of China’s Higher Education Students Studying Abroad in the Context of Higher Education Internationalization

In the context of education internationalization,the internationalization of higher education has become a major trend in the field of education in most countries,with international student education as the core.This phenomenon promotes cultural exchanges and integration among countries as well as higher education reform,which is of great significance in enhancing the international influence of higher education in each country.However,there are also some challenges faced by higher education students when studying abroad.The article digs into the origin and history of studying abroad,analyzes the current situation and reasons for higher education students in China to study abroad,discusses the opportunities and challenges faced by higher education students in China when studying abroad,and analyzes the trend of studying abroad in China.

The Procedure of an International Student Studying Abroad:A Case Study

As it is examined and concluded by many researchers,studying abroad has been common when students are trying to receive higher quality education.Cross-cultural adjustment is also regarded as a compulsory term to consider,and the way to get involved in the host culture has also been deeply investigated in this procedure.Therefore,this paper aims at identifying the factors that cause cultural barriers,as well as finding solutions to cope with them.In this study,a case study research method is employed and the result will be beneficial to support future research in similar fields.

Insights into New Media Use by International Students: Implications for Cross-Cultural Adaptation Theory

The current study uses a longitudinal, mixed-method approach to investigate the role that new media, such as social networking sites and video chat, play in cross-cultural adaptation and international student friendship network development. Results indicate that international students significantly increase and adapt their new media use while abroad to communicate globally with their friends and family, and locally with their newly formed relationships. Furthermore, social networking site host national friends do not necessarily lead to the development of face-to-face host national friends;however, interaction with established face-to-face host national friends and friend groups via new media platforms leads to an increased understanding of host communication patterns. Finally, this study proposes that researchers who apply Kim’s [1] cross-cultural adaptation theory consider incorporating Host New Media Communication as a principal concept.

Explore and practice healthy personality of students to develop an international perspective of Higher Education

A unified personality commonly referred to as is the sum of the person＇ s character, temperament, ability and other characteristics , as well as personal ethics, thought, soul, behaviors, attitudes and social responsibility aspects. Personality is certain physiological basis, formed and developed in social practice and it is the result of genetic and environmental factors, the society may influence the development of a number of factors of personality. The so-called healthy personality refers to personality harmonious, comprehensive and healthy development. Because of contemporary college students study pressure, economic pressure, the employment pressure, emotional stress and other factors, it results in morbid psychology; personality psychology highlights the unhealthy phenomenon. In recent years, especially college students＇ personality distortions continue to occur, it is caused widespread concern of the whole society, to strengthen and shape the health of college students has become an important personality of an urgent work.

The experiences of menstrual symptom changes among international students studying in China during the acculturation period: A phenomenology study

Objectives Menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon among female which could be influenced by the process of acculturation.Few studies have explored the experience of menstrual symptom changes among international female students studying in China.Therefore,this paper aims to summarize international female students’experiences of menstrual symptom changes when they were studying in China and interpret these changes through considering the influence of acculturation on their social and academic lives.Methods We used a descriptive phenomenology approach.Structured in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted between May and November 2019 among ten international female students studying in one Province located in south central China.Participants were those who reported having experienced menstrual symptom changes during the acculturation period,which was defined as the first six months of living in China.All interviews were audio-recorded,transcribed verbatim,and analyzed using NVivo 11.0 with the guidance of Colaizzi's seven-step method.Results The international female students’experiences of menstrual symptom changes were summarized and grouped into five main categories and 13 subcategories.The main categories include:1)demonstration of menstrual symptom changes,2)challenges of maintaining menstrual function in the new setting,3)coping styles to take care of menstrual health,4)consequences of the menstrual symptom changes,and 5)culture-based attitude toward menstruation.Conclusions International female students reported experiences of menstrual symptom changes,including somatic and psychological symptoms during the acculturation period.Culture barriers,academic stress,and sleep patterns are common factors influencing their menstrual symptom changes.More culturally-tailored interventions should be explored to improve the menstrual health of international female students in China.

International Exchanges by College Nursing Students: “International Comparisons of Awareness and Challenges”

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the extent of awareness of international exchanges among college nursing students in Japan and other countries and to identify strategies to improve awareness. Method: This is an integrative literature review, consisting of scientific articles published on “Ichushi-Web,” an Internet-based retrieval service by the Japan Medical Abstracts Society (JAMAS) and Google Scholar for domestic documents and, PubMed, Medline, Cochrane library and Google Scholar for foreign documents. We employed search parameters for “the years from 2000 to 2017” in combination with “international educational exchange”, “schools, nursing”, “students, nursing”, “program evaluation”, and “awareness.” Result: The data were extracted from seven documents among a review of 29 retrieved domestic documents written in Japanese, and another seven documents among a review of 111 retrieved foreign documents written in English. All documents from Japan were reports of quantitative studies, and most documents from other countries were qualitative studies. The data from Japanese research reports were classified into four perspectives: interest in international exchange, need to participate in international exchange, understanding of different cultures and awareness of foreign settlers. The data from research reports from other countries were classified into three perspectives: understanding of different cultures, improving expertise in nursing, and awareness of the international community. Conclusions: Strategies that will enhance students’ understanding of diverse cultures are needed to increase their awareness of international exchanges.

International Popularization of Beijing Culture: A Cross-cultural Perspective Based on an Investigation of Beijing-based International Students' Identity with Beijing Culture

To more vigorously promote Beijing culture internationally is bothan essential link in the strategy to turn Beijing into a cultural center and an international exchange center. This promotion would also serve as a critical step to advance the cultural development and internationalization of Beijing. As an important group of foreigners living in Beijing, foreign students can play a unique part in upgrading Beijing culture' s international influence.These students look at Beijing culture from a cross-cultural standpoint and thus can offer a vital reference for the international promotion effort. Using a combination of questionnaires and interviews, the author surveyed international students in seven Beijing universities that have a relatively high number of foreign students. Based on this firsthand data, this paper analyzes the Beijing-based international students' identity with Beijing culture, reflects on the experiences and inadequacies in the current promotion of Beijing culture, and makes relevant suggestions regarding the inadequacies.

Research Methodology and Analysis of Innovative Pedagogical Models in Mechanical Engineering Courses for International Students at the School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University

Taking the engineering courses“Introduction to Mechanical Engineering”and“Machining Process”taught by the author at Beihang University’s International School as examples,this article systematically analyzed the current status and background of international student education,focused on research strategies for interdisciplinary education and industry-education integration innovation models from the perspectives of technical demands,student needs,and societal requirements.This article aims to cultivate highly qualified international students who come to China for their studies,help them better adapt to China’s social employment environment,and enhance their capabilities for career development in China.This article proposes a comprehensive set of innovative teaching models for mechanical engineering courses for international students at Beihang University,which encompasses eight key aspects,including talent development programs,curriculum outline reforms,optimization of classroom teaching content,respect for individual student characteristics,the establishment of practical teaching components,the use of open-ended assignments to stimulate enthusiasm for learning,the cultivation of international students’interest in China,their belief in developing friendships with China,and their goals of staying in China,and the incorporation of external experts to facilitate industry-education integration.

An Empirical Study of Host Social Media on the Intercultural Adaptation of Preparatory International Students in China: A Case Study of Shandong University

This thesis probes into the current situation of host social media usage and intercultural adaptation of preparatory international students in China. Study covered 208 preparatory international students in total was conducted, with subject observation, structured interview, and questionnaire, in Shandong University, which is considered as one of the most representative institutions providing high-level preparatory education for international students in China. Field data collected were analyzed descriptively in the form of frequencies, tables, and percentages. Taken all that have been analyzed in this thesis, findings strongly suggest that the main factors influencing international students’ intercultural adaptability include host social media usage, intercultural experience, mandarin level, and cultural distance. Results also indicate significant correlation between host social media usage and intercultural adaptation: students who frequently use host social media to chat with Chinese perform better at intercultural adaptation;those who are more dependent and satisfied with host social media are more adaptive as well, the same goes to students who use host social media more frequently to get information or socialize. Consequently, this study suggests necessary promotion of host social media for international students in China.

Study on Paths of Affect Factors on Adaption to University Life of Chinese International Students in Korea —Choosing Korean Training Chinese Students as Main Investigation Objects

The purpose of this paper is to study effect factors of adaptation to university life of Chinese International Students in Korea. 374 Korean language trainees are chosen as investigation objects by means of random cluster sampling. Questionnaire data are collected by using the survey form and then paths of effect factors on adaption to university life of Korean training Chinese students in Korea are analyzed. The results indicate that Korean language proficiency, physical symptoms, loneliness, self-efficacy, acculturation stress are direct effect factors on Chinese students adapting to university life in Korea. Besides, Korean language proficiency, physical symptoms, loneliness are not only direct effect factors on self-efficacy and acculturation stress but also indirect effect factors on Chinese students adapting to university life in Korea. In order to improve ability of Korean training Chinese students adapting to university life in Korea, Korean language proficiency and self-efficacy should be improved. And, some effective interventions should be given to reducing physical symptoms, loneliness and acculturation stress.

A Study of International Chinese Language Teachers’Stereotypes of International Students

Teachers’stereotypes of students affect teaching behaviour.Correctly perceiving stereotypes of international students helps teachers to understand the student population more deeply and adopt effective teaching behaviour.This study focuses on the stereotypes of international Chinese language teachers towards international students in Chinese universities and its impact on teachers’classroom management and students’classroom performance.Summarizing the findings,we conclude that international Chinese language teachers have both positive and negative stereotypes of the international student body,and that negative stereotypes account for more than positive stereotypes.On this basis,this study further discusses the importance of international Chinese language teachers being aware of the existence of stereotypes of international students,and makes suggestions to strengthen the positive influences and weaken the negative ones.

A Study on the Discourse Guidance of Major International Political Issues in the International Students in China——Taken Zhejiang Province for Example

The purpose of this research mainly investigates the level of discourse guidance among international students in Zhejiang province.And the related level of aspects of politically conscious,political attitude,feedback,and discourse guidance are also investigated.408 Chinese university international students in Zhejiang province have involved in this study,and there is a medium level of politically conscious,high level of attitude,medium level of feedback,and low level of discourse guidance.Some discussions and suggestions are proposed.

Cultural Shock and Adaptation of International Students in China

Cultural shock and adaptation of international students have become a thriving field of study.This article reviews studies on international students in China and demonstrates an increasing favor for empirical research over nonempirical research in recent years and studies the current situation and problems of international students’cultural adaptation in China.This review ends with implications and directions for future research.