Acculturation strategies of international Central Asian students in Chinese higher education

This chapter investigates the acculturation strategies of Central Asian students studying in Chinese universities for over a year. Using Berry’s two-dimensional model of acculturation, a mixed methods design was employed to assess these strategies. A total of 295 Central Asian students living in China for at least one year completed an acculturation strategy survey, followed by interviews with 13 participants who elaborated on their chosen acculturation strategies. The findings reveal that integration and assimilation were the preferred strategies, facilitating the acculturation process. In contrast, separation and marginalisation strategies were less frequently adopted, with participants showing limited acceptance of Chinese culture. The study also highlights the influence of language proficiency, social interaction, and cultural distance on students’ selection of cross-cultural adaptation strategies. Ultimately, this chapter offers important insights into the diverse acculturation strategies of international students in mainland China and suggests implications for cultural integration policies. Copyright © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Yuan Liang and Zhen Li; individual chapters, the contributors.