19/03/2026 (Thursday) 13:00-14:00 E21-G002
Adaptation of Chinese Female International Students to Life in the UK
Abstract:
This talk explores the challenges faced by Chinese female international students in the UK and their coping strategies, focusing on their impostor feelings and use of dating apps. Drawing on semi-structured interviews and (reflexive) thematic analysis, the qualitative study found that participants struggled with familial expectations, gendered stereotypes, and intercultural challenges, alongside structural inequalities in UK higher education. To manage these challenges, Chinese female international students advocated collective resilience and framed online dating as an adaptive strategy. The findings enrich understanding of digitally mediated acculturation and call for culturally responsive approaches to cross-border higher education.
Bio:
Bei JU is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Intercultural Communication at the University of Manchester. Her research interests focus on the nexus between digital media, acculturation and migration. She also worked at the Macau University of Science and Technology (2019-2022) and the United Nations University Institute in Macau (2017-2019). Her recent works have been published in the Gender, Place & Culture, Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, Higher Education, and Communication, Culture & Critique.
