Intercultural communication competence and acculturation among international students in central China

Each year, increasing numbers of international students enroll in Chinese universities, yet no literature is available on their intercultural communication competences (ICC) and acculturation status. The study aimed at investigating these two key concepts at Central China Normal University. Two dimensions of intercultural communication competence (affect and behavior) and two dimensions of acculturation (attitude towards maintenance of one’s culture and attitude towards contact with other cultures) were employed to measure and analyze the two research constructs. A representative sample of 302 international students shows that Asian international students are less motivated to adapt than other students from other continents. In addition, time and education level do not seem to be sufficient factors in facilitating adaptation. Furthermore, the most preferred acculturation strategy is found to be integration. Finally, attitude towards contact positively correlates with affect and behavior. However, there is no relationship between attitude towards cultural maintenance and the two dimensions of ICC. These findings suggest that a better understanding of intercultural communication competence and acculturation, as well as of factors that help facilitate adjustment to the new culture, are essential in assisting Chinese universities to come up with effective programs that enhance contact between cultures.