Cultivating Cross-cultural Adaptation and Global Competence: Research on International Student Education

Abstract

With the rapid internationalization of higher education, understanding the cross-cultural adaptation and global competence of international students has become increasingly important. This study systematically investigates the relationship between cross-cultural adaptation—encompassing academic, social, and psychological dimensions—and global competence, which includes cultural awareness, intercultural communication, global perspective, and cross-cultural problem-solving abilities. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining surveys of 300 international students from diverse countries and disciplines with semi-structured interviews to capture in-depth experiences. Results indicate that cross-cultural adaptation significantly predicts global competence, with social and psychological adaptation showing particularly strong effects. Differences were observed across student backgrounds, with undergraduates and students from culturally distant countries facing greater challenges. Based on these findings, practical recommendations are proposed for universities and students to enhance adaptation and competence, including targeted academic support, social and cultural programs, psychological counseling, and proactive student engagement in cross-cultural experiences. The study contributes to theory by empirically validating the adaptation-to-competence pathway and provides actionable insights for international education management and policy development.