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“Because of the Christian Fellowship, I Decided to Stay”: How Participating in a Christian Community Shapes the Social Experiences of Chinese International Students

Author

Listed:
  • Anke Li

    (Department of Education Policy Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA)

  • Chi Nguyen

    (Department of Education Policy Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA)

  • Jinhee Choi

    (Department of Learning and Performance Systems, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA)

Abstract

This ethnographic study examines how participation in a Christian church community shapes Chinese international undergraduate students’ social experiences in an American university. Our findings reveal that Chinese international undergraduate students identify the church and its fellowship as (1) a social support community and (2) an informal learning community, one which fills in the gap in counseling services and interpersonal activities that the university fails to offer. Recommendations are made for higher education institutions to provide stronger support for international students, regardless of their nationalities and religions.

Suggested Citation

  • Anke Li & Chi Nguyen & Jinhee Choi, 2019. "“Because of the Christian Fellowship, I Decided to Stay”: How Participating in a Christian Community Shapes the Social Experiences of Chinese International Students," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:8:y:2019:i:8:p:234-:d:255401
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chun-Mei Zhao & George D. Kuh & Robert M. Carini, 2005. "A Comparison of International Student and American Student Engagement in Effective Educational Practices," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 76(2), pages 209-231, March.
    2. Rachel Brooks & Johanna Waters, 2018. "Signalling the ‘Multi-Local’ University? The Place of the City in the Growth of London-Based Satellite Campuses, and the Implications for Social Stratification," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(10), pages 1-16, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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