Intercultural Adaptation of Chinese People in the UK on the Eve of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Siqi Li

Abstract

The development of globalization has intensified the growth of the worldwide floating population, and, in turn, diaspora studies and intercultural adaptation research have become hot research topics. This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the circumstances of intercultural adaptation among Chinese people in the UK on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic. This research suggests that the extent of intercultural adaptation among individuals is somewhat correlated with their subjective willingness, English language proficiency, and duration of residence in the host society. These factors interact with one another to influence the level of intercultural adaptation. One of the most significant sociocultural adaptation challenges faced by Chinese workers in the UK during their intercultural adaptation process is the English language barrier. Despite some Chinese workers having lived in the UK for decades, their intercultural adaptation remains at the adaptation stage, and they struggle to reach the integration stage.

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