Coping with culture shock: a study of stressors, adjustments and stereotypes among chinese students at bangkok university

Loneliness and homesickness

Whether how long we still here, loneliness and homesickness can not be released since parents and relatives are not living together with me.
Actually, I felt ok if I am busy in homework or some other things; but, I felt loneliness and homesickness if I am free or meet to some sorrowful things. I miss my parents, relatives, and friends in China. When I felt loneliness and homesickness, I would like to visit Chinese friends here and drink a couple of beers with them. Also, sometimes, I call to my parents directly and talk with them. Actually, I just want to hear from them (Qihan He).


Loneliness and homesickness are not able to ignore by any Chinese students here if their parents are living in China. Normally, they cope with loneliness and homesickness by visiting friends, playing PC games, charting online, calling parents, participating in parties, or travelling. Also, watching movies is another way to reduce their feeling of homesickness and loneliness.

Loss of identity

Some of those 10 respondents felt lost of identity. They felt they do not belong to Thai society since they are Chinese, and they do not belong to Chinese society since they are not living in China. The feeling is very strong in Thai or Chinese festival. In Thai festival, they are not the one who can totally involve into the festival such as Thai New Year. Thai have their own traditional culture in Thai New Year and they have strong feelings of New Year; but, Chinese have Chinese New Year which is different to Thai New Year. Also, there are different culture and tradition to celebrate Thai and Chinese New Year; thus, Chinese do not have a strong feeling of belonging and involvement in Thai New Year. They felt they are separated from Thai society in Thai New Year.
Similarly, in Chinese New Year festival, they felt that they are separated from Chinese society as well since they are not stay together with their family. Also, during Chinese New Year festival, normally, they are busy in exam according to Bangkok University’s schedule. Therefore, they felt lost in belonging in both Chinese society and Thai society.