Exploring the academic adjustment of Pakistani students in second-tier Chinese cities

Abstract

Pakistani students have become the third largest group of international students in China, and the largest group in many Chinese second-tier cities. This study explores their academic adjustment difficulties in Jiangxi, China by employing a mixed-methods approach, involving 134 questionnaires and 9 interviews. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and Smart-PLS. Based on the study, it was found that Pakistani students encountered minor challenges in academic adjustment, and they relied on teachers, family, and friends for significant social support. However, there are concerns regarding the compromised quality of teaching due to deliberately lowered academic standards. To enhance the education quality and academic performance of Pakistani students and other international students studying in second-tier cities in China, this study suggests raising the academic standards to ensure their educational progress, improving teacher-student relations, establishing a supportive peer network, enhancing academic resources, and offering increased opportunities for cultural exchange.