Media Use and Cultural Adaptation by Foreign Students in Chinese Universities

Abstract

While there have been many studies of the relationship between cultural adaptation and media usage by immigrants to Anglo countries, there have been no studies published in English of media use by international students in China. Researchers investigating media use of international students in Dalian, China initially assumed outcomes consistent with results in other locations. Survey results revealed different patterns of usage, however, most likely attributable to the unique media environment in Chinese universities where the only television and newspapers readily available to students are state owned and provide only official perspectives on the news. Improvement of Internet access and provision of more Chinese newspapers and television stations to sets in student dormitories by universities might facilitate greater cultural adaptation by international students and improve their perceptions of study in China.