An Examination of the Encountered Challenges of Pakistani International Students in China: A Case Study of First-Year Students

Abstract

China has become a hub in providing quality higher education to students across the world. Similarly, annually thousands of Pakistani students come to China to pursue their higher studies and face several new problems. Recognizing and suggesting solutions to those problems is now essential for their successful accomplishment. This study investigates the challenges international postgraduate Pakistani students face during their first year of study in NENU (Northeast Normal University), Changchun, China. By employing a qualitative design, 14 Pakistani postgraduate students (10 males and 4 females) were selected through convenient sampling. An in-depth face-to-face interview method was used to collect the data and analyzed through the thematic analysis method. The results revealed that various problems influence newly arrived students' lives; these include food problems, communication problems, weather adjustment, physical and academic issues. Accordingly, the study suggests thatan adjustment period is required that contains Chinese language classes, intercultural programs, and students-support events to facilitate Pakistani international students in adjusting to a new environment.