Overcoming academic challenges in Malaysia
Social and digital media support for Chinese undergraduates
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32674/4a312j84Keywords:
Academic Challenges, Social Support, Digital Media Support, Chinese Undergraduates, Malaysia ScenarioAbstract
Many studies have focused on the academic adaptation of Chinese international students studying in Western countries. However, the academic adaptation of these students in Malaysia has received little attention. This paper aims to analyze the challenges faced by Chinese undergraduates in Malaysia and propose key strategies from the perspective of social and digital media support. The research employed qualitative methodologies, comprising eight focus group discussions with 40 Chinese undergraduates from four public and four private Malaysian universities, as well as interviews with six international officials from these institutions. The study revealed that Chinese undergraduates encountered a range of academic challenges, including language barriers, diverse pedagogical approaches, and issues with academic collaboration. These findings have implications for Chinese undergraduates in developing effective strategies to address academic challenges, as well as for higher education institutions and university administrators in Malaysia to increase academic support and services for international students.
References
Al-Rahmi, W. M., Yahaya, N., Alturki, U., Alrobai, A., Aldraiweesh, A. A., Omar Alsayed, A., Kamin, Y. B. (2022). Social media-based collaborative learning: The effect on learning success with the moderating role of cyberstalking and cyberbullying. Interactive Learning Environments, 30 (8), 1434-1447. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2020.17 28342 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2020.1728342
Anuar, N. A. A., Ibnu, I. N., Ayub, S. H., Zulkefli, M. Y., Anuar, N., & Serip Mohamad, N. H. (2025). Intercultural communication competence (ICC) in academic supervision: insights into international postgraduate experiences in Malaysian universities. Intercultural Education, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/14675986.2025.2465018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14675986.2025.2465018
Baines, A., Ittefaq, M., & Abwao, M. (2022). Social media for social support: A study of international graduate students in the United States. Journal of International Students, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12i2.3158 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v12i2.3158
Bochner, S., B. M. McLeod, and A. Lin. (1977). Friendship Patterns of Overseas Students: A Functional Model. International Journal of Psychology, 12 (4), 277-294. https://doi. org/10.1080/00207597708247396 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00207597708247396
Braun, V.,& Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in Psychology, 3 (2), 77-101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Cao, C., Zhu, C.& Meng, Q. (2021). Chinese International Students’ Coping Strategies, Social Support Resources in Response to Academic Stressors: Does Heritage Culture or Host Context Matter? Current Psychology, 40 (1), 242-252. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-018-9929-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-018-9929-0
Cao, C., Meng, Q., Zhang, H. (2024). A longitudinal examination of WeChat usage intensity, behavioral engagement, and cross-cultural adjustment among international students in China. Higher Education, 87 (3), 661-683. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-023-010 29-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-023-01029-5
Chen, X. (2023). Online Collaboration Tools and International Students' Sense of Belonging in Group Work. Journal of Teaching and Learning with Technology, 12,105-119. https://doi.org/10.14434/jotlt.v12i1.36325 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14434/jotlt.v12i1.36325
Dwumah Manu, B., Ying, F., Oduro, D., Antwi, J., Yakubu Adjuik, R. (2023). The impact of social media use on student engagement and acculturative stress among international students in China. Plos one,18(4), e0284185. https://doi.org /10.1371/ journal. pone. 0284185 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284185
Foroughi, B., Griffiths, M. D., Iranmanesh, M., Salamzadeh, Y. (2022). Associations between Instagram addiction, academic performance, social anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction among university students. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20 (4), 2221-2242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00510-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00510-5
Guo, W. (2024). Navigating cultural integration: The role of social media among Chinese students in the UK. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 16(1), 2751-2782.https://doi. org/10.1007/s13 132-024-02111-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-024-02111-8
Heng, T. T. (2019). Understanding the heterogeneity of international students’ experiences: A case study of Chinese international students in US universities. Journal of Studies in International Education, 23 (5), 607-623. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315319829880 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315319829880
Hofhuis, J., Van Egmond, M.C., Lutz, F.E., Von Reventlow, K.& Rohmann, A. (2023). The effect of social network sites on international students’ acculturation, adaptation, and well-being. Frontiers in Communication, 8, 1186527. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm. 2023.1186527 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2023.1186527
Holsti, O. R. (1969). Content analysis for the social sciences and humanities. London, MA: AddisonWesley.
Kim, Y.Y. (2001). Becoming intercultural: an integrative theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452233253
Lashari, S. A., Awang-Hashim, R., Lashari, T. A., Kaur, A. (2023). Acculturation stress and social support for international students’ adjustment in Malaysia: does language proficiency matter? Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education,15 (2), 496-508. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-07-2021-0285 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-07-2021-0285
Li, H. (2019). Academic integration of Chinese students in Finland and Germany: A comparative perspective. Frontiers of Education in China, 14 (2), 234-256. https://doi. org/10.1007/s11516-019-0012-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11516-019-0012-x
Li, L., Peng, W. 2019. Transitioning through social media: International students’ SNS use, perceived social support, and acculturative stress. Computers in Human Behavior, 98, 69-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.03.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.03.011
Malaklolunthu, S., Selan, P. S. (2011). Adjustment problems among international students in Malaysian private higher education institutions. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 15, 833-837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.03.194 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.03.194
Masood, A., Luqman, A., Feng, Y., Ali, A. (2020). Adverse consequences of excessive social networking site use on academic performance: Explaining underlying mechanism from a stress perspective. Computers in human behavior, 113, 106476.https://doi.org /10.1016/j.chb.2020.106476 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106476
Ministry of Higher Education.(2024). Highest number of international students enrollment based on countries of origin in HEIs for the year 2024, 2014/4-2025/10. Higher Education Statistics 2024: Ministry of Higher Education. Retrieved from https://www.mohe.gov.my/en/download/statistics.
Pang, H., Quan, L.& Lu, J. (2024a). How does perceived overload influence international students’ educational attainment? The mediating roles of social media exhaustion and academic anxiety. Current Psychology, 43(9), 7794-7808. https://doi.org/10.1007/s 12144-023-04984-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04984-5
Pang, H., Ke, W.& Zhang, W. (2024b).Deciphering dynamic interactions among multidimensional psychological motivations, academic performance, and sociocultural adjustment: The critical influence of excessive Instagram use. Heliyon, 10 (11), e32329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32329 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32329
Rui, Z., Wahab, N. A. (2022). The challenges and academic adaptations among Ningxia China students studying in Malaysia. Sciences,12(4), 1302-1313. http://dx.doi.org/10.6 007/IJARBSS/v12-i4/12939 DOI: https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v12-i4/12939
Schwartz, M., Omori, K., Sacramento. (2024). Communities of practice and acculturation: How international students in American colleges use social media to manage homesickness. Journal of International and Comparative Education, 13 (1), 57-72. https://doi.org/10.14425/jice.2024.13.1.0612 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14425/jice.2024.13.1.0612
Senci, V., Hendrickson, B., Debevc, M. (2022). Examining Erasmus student social integration at two Croatian universities. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 90, 57-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2022.07. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2022.07.007
007
Singh, J.K.N. (2018). What are the factors that contribute to postgraduate international students'academic success? A Malaysian qualitative study. Higher Education Research & Development, 37(5), 1035-1049. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2018.1467383 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2018.1467383
Singh, J.K.N.& Jack, G. (2018). The benefits of overseas study for international postgraduate students in Malaysia. Higher Education, 75 (4), 607-624. https://doi.org/10.1007/s1073 4-017-0159-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-017-0159-4
Singh, J.K.N.& Jack, G. (2022). The role of language and culture in postgraduate international students’ academic adjustment and academic success: qualitative insights from Malaysia. Journal of International Students, 12 (2), 444-466. https://doi.org/10. 32674/jis.v12i2.2351
Tang, C., Mao, S., Naumann, S. E., Xing, Z. (2022). Improving student creativity through digital technology products: A literature review. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 44,101032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101032 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101032
Wang, Q.& Hannes, K. (2014). Academic and sociocultural adjustment among Asian international students in the Flemish community of Belgium: A photovoice project. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 39, 66-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ijintrel.2013.09.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2013.09.013
Wong, M. L. L., Liu, S. (2024). The role of online social networking sites in facilitating friendships and adaptation among international students in Malaysia. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 99, 101942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2024. 101942 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2024.101942
Xue, W., Singh, M. K. M. (2025). Unveiling the academic, sociocultural, and psychological adaptation challenges of Chinese international students in Malaysia. Journal of International Students, 15 (2), 69-86. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/37286t88
Zhai, X.& Razali, A. B. (2022). International Chinese postgraduate students’ adaptation strategies for oral English communication practices in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions. Education Research International, (1), 6439726.https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/643 9726 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6439726
Zhang, S., Hasim, Z. (2023). Perceptions and coping strategies in English writing among Chinese study-abroad graduate students. Sage Open, 13(3), 21582440231184851. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231184851 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231184851
Zhang, X., Abbas, J., Shahzad, M. F., Shankar, A., Ercisli, S., Dobhal, D. C. (2024). Association between social media use and students’ academic performance through family bonding and collective learning: The moderating role of mental well-being. Education and Information Technologies, 29 (11), 14059-14089. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12407-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12407-y
Zhao, W., Osman, M. N., Omar, S. Z., Yaakup, H. S. (2023). The cross-cultural adaptation of Chinese international students in Malaysia: a systematic review. Asian People Journal, 6 (1), 66-81.https://doi.org/10.37231/apj. 2023.6.1.391 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37231/apj.2023.6.1.391
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of International Students
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) [year] [author]
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
