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i 

 

 
 

 
The Experiences and Perceptions of a 

Sample of Chinese International Students 
in New Zealand 

 
Research Report 

Department of Management & International Business 
2004 

 
 
 

Zhiheng Zhang 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Massey University, Albany 
 
 

 
 
 



ii 

 
Abstract  
 
This study was undertaken to explore the experiences of Chinese students in the New 

Zealand education sector and various perceptions about the level of satisfaction they felt 

about their life as students in this country. The sample was made up of 140 Chinese 

international students who were fulltime students studying in different courses at three 

universities, two language schools and one private tertiary school in Auckland. This study 

comprised data from a self-completed questionnaire survey carried out between July and 

August 2004. The research explored relationships among possible factors which influence 

international students’ adjustment including loneliness; feeling of safety; relationships with 

the host culture and homestay services.  The main findings were that students perceived their 

lack of English skills was a major obstacle in achieving both academic goals and quality 

interactions with members of the host country. Also, satisfying opportunities for interaction 

with host national members outside the classroom benefits Chinese international students in 

their adaptation to the New Zealand education system.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



iii 

Acknowledgements 
I am grateful to the students who participated in the study and those universities and schools 

who supported this research.  I am also grateful to Ms. Linda Lin and the five Chinese 

students who helped me to carry out the data collection.  

I would like to think my advisor Dr Margaret Brunton, Department of Management and 

International Business Massey University for supervising the research. Without her 

encouragement, guidance, support and modification, the report would not be completed 

smoothly.  

I would also like to thank Professor Kerr Inkson, Department of Management and 

International Business Massey University for his feedback, which provided valuable 

information in the processing of this report.   

I also thank Dr. Barry McDonald, Institute of Information and Mathematical Sciences 

Massey University for his advice and clarification on the statistical aspects of the research 

data.  

Finally, I would like to thank all my friends and colleagues who have supported me during 

the research. 

 

 

 

 



iv 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Title page  i 

Abstract ii 

Acknowledgements iii 

Table of contents iv 

List of tables vii 

List of figures and graphs viii  

1.   Introduction 1  

1.1 Background 1  

1.2 Research questions 2 

2. Literature review  3 

 2.1 Culture shock 3 

 2.2 Language difficulties 4  

 2.3 Loneliness 5 

 2.4 Educational goals  5 

 2.5 Differences in education systems and unfamiliar social norms and values 6 

 2.6 Loss of established social networks and international students’ network 7 

 2.7 Adjustment through increased contact with host nationals 8 

 2.8 Desired and actual host national relations 9 

 2.9 Fostering host relations 10 

 2.9.1 Extracurricular and leisure activities and community programmes 10 

 2.9.2 Home stays 11 

 2.9.3 Gender and personality 12 

 2.10 Summary of hypotheses              12 



v 

3. Research design and methodology 13  

 3.1 Objectives of the study 13 

3.2 Research objectives 13 

 3.3 Research methodology 13  

3.4 Research sample design 14  
 

3.5 Questionnaire development 15 
 

3.6 Questionnaire design 16 
 

3.7 Data collection 18 
 
      3.8 Limitations 19  

3.9 Procedure 20 

3.10 Ethical issues 20 
 
4. Research results 21  

 4.1 Participants 21  

 4.2 Data analysis  23   

 4.3 Reliability analyses 24 

 4.4 Research frequency distribution results 24  

 4.5 Descriptive statistical measurement of respondent’ perceptions  26 

 4.6 Correlation analysis to explore the possible variables which are associated with   

adjustment for international students 32 

 4.6.1 Satisfaction with New Zealand education 32  

 4.6.2 Feelings of safety 34 

 4.6.3 Feelings of loneliness 35 

 4.6.4 Feelings about homestay families 35 

 4.6.5 Host national relations 36  



vi 

 4.6.5.1 I have got two or more Kiwi friends  36 

 4.6.5.2 I have more opportunities to make Kiwi friends  37  

 4.6.5.3 Gender and personality 37 

5. Discussion and findings 39 

 5.1 The experience of respondents in NZ  39 

 5.1.1 Academic goal setting and achievement 39  

 5.1.2 Host national contact; leisure activities and loneliness 40 

 5.2 Respondents’ perceptions in regard to their experience in New Zealand 43   

 5.2.1 Safety issues and associated factors 43  

 5.2.2 Education experience in New Zealand  45 

 5.3 Homestay services  46 

6. Conclusions 48 

7. Recommendations 50 

7.1 Further research options 51 

References 52 

Appendices 56 

Appendix1: information sheets and survey questionnaires 57 

Appendix 2: Reliability analysis – scale (Alpha) 63 

Appendix 3: Respondents’ demographic and experience in NZ 64 

Appendix 4: Correlations analysis and stepwise regression analysis 70  
 
Appendix 5: ANOVA analyses and Kruskal-Wallance H test 81 
 
Appendix 6: Research log 85 
 
Appendix 7: Results of Pre-test questionnaires 87 

 
Appendix 8: Sample selection methods 88 



vii 

  

LIST OF TABLES  
Table 1 Questions regarding Chinese students experience in NZ 17  

Table 2 Demographic information and their experience in New Zealand  
   (Table 2 contain 19 sub-tables from 2a to 2s in appendix 3)  21 
 
Table 3 Chinese students’ life in NZ 26 
 
Table 4 Variables that measure respondent’ attitudes about NZ life 26     
 
Table 5 Satisfaction with NZ education 32 
 
Table 6 Correlation analysis: Satisfaction with New Zealand education  33 
 
Table 7 Stepwise regression analysis: satisfaction with education 34 
 
Table 8 Feeling of safety  35 

Table: 9 I am not loneliness  35 
 
Table 10 I am happy with my homestay families 36 
  
Table 11 Correlation analyses:  I have got two or more Kiwi friends  36 
 
Table 12 Stepwise regression analysis: I have got two or more Kiwi friends  36 

 
Table 13 I have more opportunities to make Kiwi friends  37 
 
Table 14 satisfaction with education among the schools’ students 81 
  
Table 15 satisfaction with education among the schools’ students 82  

 
Table 16 Courses differences and opportunities to make Kiwi friends  83 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 



viii 

LIST OF FIGURE AND GRAPHS 
 

Figure 1 I believe that New Zealand is a safe country 27 

Figure 2 I have more opportunities to make Kiwi friends 28 

Figure 3 I would like to have more Kiwi friends 28 

Figure 4 I have opportunities to participate in the activities of local communities  29 

Figure 5 I am happy to share the weekend with the homestay families 29 

Figure 6 It is necessary to study English for at least one year or more in NZ 30 

Figure 7 I am satisfied with New Zealand immigration policy 30 

Figure 8 I am happy with the leisure activities in New Zealand  31 

Figure 9 I am satisfied with the life in New Zealand 31 

Figure 10 Satisfaction with Education 32 

Figure 11 I am not feeling lonely  41