Language Proficiency and Interpersonal Resources Predictors of Psychological and Sociocultural Adaptation: International Students in Hong Kong

Being one of Asia’s educational, financial and cultural hubs, Hong Kong has begun launching the internationalisation of university campus campaign. Over the last two decades, the annual enrolment of international students has increased from 3,204 in 2003/2004 to 15,730 in 2015/16, accounting for 16% of the total student enrolment of that academic year in University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities (UGC, 2001-2016). This study explores how international students from different cultures adapt to study abroad in an Asian setting-Hong Kong. Our hypothesis was supported in relation to the prediction of sociocultural adaptation, and partially supported in relation to the prediction of psychological adaptation. We found that study language proficiency, intercultural relations (particularly a low level of perceived discrimination), and social support from various sources, were important for fostering both types of cross-cultural adaptation. Implications for higher education policies and practices as well as future research are made in the paper.