The relationships between the friendship networks and sojourner adjustment of Chinese international students in the United States

Abstract

This was a study of the relationships between the friendship network of Chinese international students and their self-reported sojourner adjustment. It explored how Chinese international students form their friendship networks and whom they will choose to interact with and share their deep thoughts as they sojourn abroad. The key research questions were the relationship between the frequency of interaction with Chinese and non-Chinese friends and their sojourner adjustment, the relationship between the degree of self-disclosure with Chinese and non-Chinese friends and their sojourner adjustment. The findings showed that international students are more likely to develop friendships with co-national students because they find it easier to communicate with each other and have common norms and beliefs.