CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION TO THIS STUDY 1
1.1 Background 1
1.1.1 Some background related to this study 1
1.1.2 An overview of internationalization at University of Calgary 2
1.1.3 A description of“Mainland Chinese students in graduate programs at a Canadian university” 4
1.1.4 Chinese students in overseas education 5
1.2 Importance,Objective and Significance 6
1.2.1 Importance 6
1.2.2 Objective 7
1.2.3 Significance 7
1.3 Research Questions 8
1.3.1 Main research question 8
1.3.2 Supporting questions 8
1.4 Anticipated Forms of Results 8
CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 9
2.1 Related Literature for This Research 9
2.1.1 Major areas of research 9
2.1.2 Limitations of the previous research 18
2.2 A Comparison between Higher Education in China and in the West 19
2.2.1 Higher education in China 20
2.2.2 Higher education in the West 30
2.2.3 Experiencing higher education in China and in Canada 38
CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 47
3.1 Introduction to the Qualitative Case Study 47
3.2 The Variety of Research Methods in This Qualitative Case Study and Data Analysis 49
3.2.1 Qualitative interviews 50
3.2.2 Classroom observation 52
3.2.3 Document analysis 53
3.2.4 Data analysis 53
3.3 Research Ethics 54
3.4 Strengths and Limitations of the Qualitative Case Study 54
3.5 Qualitative Interviewing：Sources of Reactivity Problems and Some Discussions 55
3.5.1 Introduction to the concern 55
3.5.2 Different sources of reactivity problems and possible solutions 56
3.5.3 Discussion on the reactivity problem of qualitative interviewing 65
3.5.4 Recommendations for qualitative interviewing 67
CHAPTER FOUR PRELIMINARY FINDINGS FROM THE RESEARCH 68
4.1 Findings from Students'Perspectives 69
4.1.1 Introduction to the interviewees 69
4.1.2 Commonalities and varieties 76
4.1.3 Adaptation issues for Mainland Chinese students in Canadian graduate programs 85
4.1.4 Adaptation strategies 116
4.1.5 Students'reflections on adaptation processes 121
4.1.6 Suggestions for Chinese students for a better academic adaptation process 129
4.1.7 Suggestions for the university,faculty,staff and to immigration policy 135
4.2 Findings from Faculty and Administrators'Perspectives 142
4.2.1 Background 142
4.2.2 Issues particular to international students 147
4.2.3 Recruitment，expectations，policies，programs and strategies to support international students 154
4.2.4 Suggestions to international students and to universities 158
4.2.5 Faculty and administrators'reflections on the international student issue 164
4.3 Findings from Class Observations 165
4.3.1 Introduction 165
4.3.2 Findings 166
4.3.3 Considerations of class observations 169
4.4 Findings from Document Analysis 169
4.4.1 Introduction 169
4.4.2 Findings from document analysis 170
4.4.3 Considerations of document analysis 172
CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSIONS OF FINDINGS IN RELATION TO THE THEORETICAL LITERATURE 174
5.1 General Discussions Related to the Literature 174
5.1.1 Some questions about factors that influence the adaptation process 174
5.1.2 Differences between Chinese higher education and Canadian higher education 178
5.1.3 Adaptation theory 182
5.1.4 Adaptation process 184
5.2 Findings from the Research New to the Literature 185
5.2.1 Adaptation issues 186
5.2.2 Adaptation strategies 191
5.2.3 Differences among findings generated from three research methods 193
5.3 Adaptation Diagrams for International Students 196
5.3.1 Adaptation Process Diagram 197
5.3.2 Adaptation Support Diagram 203
CHAPTER SIX SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH AND RECOMMENDATIONS 209
6.1 Summary 209
6.2 Recommendations for Further Research 211
6.2.1 Limitations of the present research 212
6.2.2 Recommendations for further research 213
6.3 Recommendations to international students'adaptation 214
6.3.1 Recommendations to international students 215
6.3.2 Recommendations to university administrators，faculty and staff 218
6.3.3 Recommendations to community and cultural organizations 221
6.3.4 Recommendations to Canadian higher education authorities and government 223
6.4 Conclusion 226
References 227
Appendix Ⅰ Cover Letter（Recruiting graduate student interviewees） 233
Appendix Ⅱ Approval of Ethical Review 235
Appendix Ⅲ Participant Consent Forms 236
Appendix Ⅳ A Letter Requesting Site Access 242
Appendix Ⅴ Potential Interview Questions 244
Appendix Ⅵ Interview Quotation Notes 248
Appendix Ⅶ Records of Interview Tapes 249
Appendix Ⅷ Permission for Observation of Class 254
Appendix Ⅸ Samples of Publicity of the Research and Researcher 255