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Cross-cultural experiences can be both enriching and challenging. The concept of “the marginal man”, introduced by American sociologist Robert Ezra Park, describes an individual who lives in close proximity to two cultures that cannot fully integrate with one another. From a sociological perspective, Chinese international students in the United States can be considered as “marginal men”. As the largest group of international students, Chinese students account for thirty-three percent of international students in the U.S. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Chinese students come to America for college.

Xinxiao Yang and Dianbing Chen’s research found that a staggering 73% of Chinese students lack strategies for adapting to American culture. The students feel unstable and unsafe in the unfamiliar environment, struggle to fully understand native speakers, and tend to be closed off, leading to feelings of solitude, arrogance, and narrow-mindedness.

We will take a closer look at the experiences and challenges faced by Chinese international students in the United States through the lens of Zhan Lin, a junior student from China studying at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2023. Zhan faces language barriers as his primary obstacle to connecting with American students and immersing himself in American culture. Although he enjoys spending time with his Chinese friends at Chapel Hill, he has yet to fully integrate into American culture and has not made any American friends. Zhan’s university experience is similar to that of many other Chinese international students who struggle to adapt to a new culture and language.