Academic efficacy, academic adaptation and psychological adaptation between local, mainland and international students in Hong Kong universities

The purposes of this study were to find out the differences in academic efficacy, academic adaptation and psychological adaptation between local, Mainland and international students in Hong Kong Universities and major predictors of the psychological and academic adaptation. In addition it explored the level and effect of contact between non-local students and local students. Questionnaires were used to collect data among six UGC-funded local universities in Hong Kong through SurveyMonkey. Findings revealed that Mainland students reported highest level of academic efficacy, academic adaptation and psychological adaptation, followed by international students and local students. In addition, students tended to interact most with those who were from the same cultural backgrounds. Implications for how university policy can better support their students are discussed.