The Effects of Continental Background, Language Proficiency and Length of Stay on Social Adjustment Experience of International Students in Northern China

This study examined the prevailing circumstances on the adjustment experience of migrant students in Northern China, as related to the effect of continental affiliation, Chinese language proficiency and length of stay on the social adjustment experience of international students. The Social Adjustment Scale of Taft and Johnston, 1965 and Language proficiency Descriptors of Brian North, 1994 were adapted to elicit information from 254 students from Europe, Americas,Africa and Asia. The respondents were chosen from two oldest and notable university from Changchun city, the provincial capital of Jilin, Northeast China; Jilin University and Northeast Normal University. The study revealed that there is a significant effect of Chinese language proficiency on social adjustment experience of international students (X2 = 0.001, df=4, p 0.05) on the adjustment experience of international students, however, students from South America and Africa had the least adjustment experience when compared to students from other continents, this was revealed when the mean and standard deviations were compared. Finally the study also revealed that duration of stay had no significant effect on the adjustment experience of international students (X2 = 0.34, DF = 8, p>0.05).