Cross-cultural learning experiences of Chinese international students in a UK university: a qualitative study

The experiences of Chinese international students in UK universities have been widely discussed in existing literature, with most studies focusing on the challenges they encounter and their adaptation to a new academic environment. However, fewer studies have adopted a longitudinal perspective to explore how these experiences develop over time. This study investigates the learning experiences of Chinese international postgraduate taught students throughout their 1-year programme at a UK university. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 students from different postgraduate programmes across three Schools within the same institution. Using thematic analysis, the study identified four key aspects of participants' learning experiences: the application of English language, learning through reasoning and research, learning engagement, and interpersonal dynamics. The findings showed that these experiences were shaped through interaction with the new learning environment and contributed to either transformative or miseducative learning experiences, influencing students' academic development during cross-cultural transition.