A Case Study Investigating the Relational Well-Being of International Students at Hohai University Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of China

Abstract

This study acknowledges the growing importance of international student mobility and examines the relational well-being of international students at Hohai University in Nanjing, China. Understanding the complexities of interactions among international students is essential for their well-being and the university’s overall success, since this tendency continues to increase. By examining the distinct possibilities and problems faced by international students at Hohai University and considering elements including cultural distinctiveness, the campus environment, interpersonal dynamics, and support networks, the study fills a research void. For this purpose, 150 international students at Hohai University participated in semi-structured interviews and 10 participants participated in unstructured interviews as part of the mixed-methods approach to obtain in-depth information. Hence, the descriptive data were analyzed using SPSS and qualitative analyses were performed using NVIVO. According to preliminary findings derived from quantitative data, important results emphasize the significant impact of homesickness (0.143, T value: 5.931) and the positive correlation of relational well-being (0.146), highlighting their significance. The effect of the language barrier is also significant (0.125, T value: 4.378), whereas loneliness has little bearing (0.011, T value: 0.847). Additionally, the highest concern of the international students (M = 8.35; SD = 1.43) was making connections with local students. Additionally, (M = 8.21; SD = 1.15) international students favored Hohai University, which provided a welcoming atmosphere for intercultural dialogue. The Foreign Student Office, social events, cultural exchange programs, counseling services, and peer support networks are just a few examples of the support structures and networks crucial to international students’ general well-being. At the same time, the cultural hurdles, including the language barrier and loneliness, seemed to be the challenge. The study concludes by shedding light on the relational well-being of international students at Hohai University and highlighting the importance of community-building and supporting actions. The results provide insightful information that will help the institution better respond to the particular difficulties that international students encounter, creating a more welcoming and stimulating atmosphere. This study establishes the foundation for further research in comparable contexts and advances our understanding of relational well-being in the context of experiences for overseas students.