Academic Adaptation and Performance Among International Students in China: The Mediating Role of Student Engagement

Academic adaptation is widely recognized as a critical challenge for international students, with direct implications for their academic success and performance. While existing research has established a positive correlation between academic adaptation and performance, it has not adequately explored this relationship in the context of international students in China. Moreover, the potential mediating role of student engagement warrants further empirical investigation. To address this gap, this study employs a cross-sectional survey of 427 international students in China. The findings confirm a significant positive relationship between academic adaptation and academic performance. Moreover, student engagement was identified as a significant, albeit limited, mediator in this relationship. This result indicates that the effect of student engagement on academic performance may be more immediate, whereas its effect on academic adaptation may be prior. By elucidating this complex mediating pathway, this study advances our understanding of the processes linking adaptation to performance. It offers practical insights for educators seeking to enhance the international student experience.