กระบวนการปรับตัวของนักศึกษาจีนเมื่อเข้ามาศึกษาในประเทศไทย

Abstract

This study had 2 purposes: (1) to study the adaptation problems and (2) the adaptation process and factors affecting the adaptation of Chinese students studying in Thailand. This qualitative study was a case study of 5 Chinese students, using the method of in-depth interviews and participant observation as tools for data collection. During the data collection stage, the data were frequently analyzed and verified, using cultural adaptation theory as the guideline. The results indicated that the adaptation process of most Chinese students could be divided into 4 phases: honeymoon phase, self-alignment phase, participation phase, and devolution phase. This adaptation process could be repeated in a loop. Chinese students were able to adapt to a new physical environment faster than to a new socio-cultural environment. The adaptation problems found in this study were food, climate, traffic, communication using Thai language, the relationship between Chinese and Thai people, and the Thai education system. The time needed for adaptation did not depend on one but several of these factors: personality, stereotype, preparation of knowledge of the new culture, cross-cultural experience, and communication skill in the new language.