Preliminary Survey on the Initial Impressions and Expectations of American Exchange Students at WKU

Dear Students,

Thank you for participating in this study. This questionnaire aims to explore your initial impressions and perceptions of China upon arriving at Wenzhou-Kean University, as well as your expectations for the upcoming exchange experience. Your responses are very important for our understanding of cross-cultural experiences. The questionnaire is anonymous, and the data will be used for academic research purposes only. Please answer based on your current, genuine feelings about China. The estimated completion time is approximately 5-10 minutes.
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Consent Form

Title of Research: Reconstruction of American Exchange Students' Perceptions of China Based on Their Cultural Encounters in China: An Analysis of Wenzhou-Kean University, a Sino-U.S. Cooperative Institution

Principal Investigator: Jiang Haojie

Department: International Chinese Education Research Center

Contact Information: jianghaojie@wku.edu.cn

Invitation Researchers at the International Chinese Education Research Center invite you to participate in a study. To be able to decide if you want to participate in this project, you should understand what the project is about and the possible risks and benefits in order to make an informed decision. Once you have read this form and answered your questions about the study, you will be asked to sign it. This will allow you to participate in the study. Participate in this study. You may withdraw from the study at any time without prejudice, just by closing the survey window.

Summary of Study

The purpose of this study is to investigate the first impressions and expectations that American exchange students have about China when they arrive, as well as their reflections on these topics after completing a three-month exchange program. The results of this study will enhan ce our understanding of how the exchange program impacts U.S. students' views and ideas about China. This knowledge can help improve the effectiveness of the program, assist students in understanding Chinese culture, facilitate their adaptation to life in China, and inform policies and strategies that promote a better understanding of China among foreign visitors.

Procedures of Study

If you choose to participate in this study, you will need to complete two tasks: 

(1) Fill out this consent form. 

(2) Complete a pre-program survey at this time. 

(3) Complete a post-program survey upon finishing the exchange program.

Potential Risks and Discomforts

No greater than minimal risk: The risk level for participants is anticipated to be minimal and no greater than what they would commonly encounter in their everyday life. The questions are designed to be non-invasive and respect participants' privacy.

Confidentiality and Records

Any information collected in this study is anonymized and also strictly confidential to be used for research purposes only. No personal data is collected. The data would be stored securely on password-accessible computers and would be accessible only by the research staff associated with this study. Research data will not be disclosed to any third parties without explicit approval from the participants to do so.

Should you have any further questions about this study and your rights as a research participant, please contact the investigator (jianghaojie@wku.edu.cn).

If you have read the relevant information and potential risks of this study in detail and agree to participate in this study, please click the "Agree to participate" button below to participate in our study. You agree that:

● You have read this consent form (or it has been read to you) and have been given the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered;

● You have been informed of potential risks, and they have been explained to your satisfaction;

● You understand Wenzhou-Kean University has no funds set aside for any injuries you might receive as a result of participating in this study;

● You are 18 years of age or older;

● Your participation in this research is entirely voluntary.

● You may leave the study at any time; if you decide to stop participating in the study, there will be no penalty to you, and you will not lose any benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. 

Agree to participate.
Disagree to participate
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2.
Your ID number
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3.
Your Gender:
Male
Female
Prefer not to disclose
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4.
Your Current Academic Level:
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Graduate Student
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5.
Your major: 
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6.
How many times have you been to China?
First time
Second time
Third time or more
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7.
How many times have you been to Wenzhou-Kean University?
First time
Second time
Third time or more
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8.
How would you assess your overall Chinese language proficiency (listening, speaking, reading, and writing)?
No proficiency
Fluent / Native-like
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9.
Before coming to China, through which channels did you primarily obtain information about China?
(Select all that apply)【最少选择1项】
American news media
Films or TV shows
Social media (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, etc.)
Books / Academic articles
Family or friends
Chinese people you interacted with in the U.S.
School courses
Classmates or alumni
Travel guides
Other (please specify):
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10.
How would you rate your overall sense of safety while living in China (especially in your current city)?
Very unsafe
Very safe
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11.
How would you rate the convenience and reliability of public transportation in China (e.g., subway, bus)?
Very inconvenient / Unreliable
Very convenient / Reliable
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12.
How would you rate the convenience of mobile payment systems (e.g., Alipay, WeChat Pay) and online shopping / food delivery platforms (e.g., Taobao, Meituan) in China?
Very inconvenient
Very convenient
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13.
How would you rate your impression of air quality and environmental hygiene in China (especially in major cities)?
Very poor
Very good
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14.
How friendly do you expect ordinary Chinese people to be toward strangers in public places (e.g., when asking for directions)?
Very unfriendly
Very friendly
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15.
How friendly and accepting do you expect Chinese classmates/colleagues to be toward international students / foreigners?
Very unfriendly / unaccepting
Very friendly / accepting
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16.
How would you rate China’s level of technological development in areas such as mobile internet, artificial intelligence, and high-speed rail?
Very underdeveloped
Very advanced
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17.
How interested are you in traditional Chinese culture (e.g., festivals, cuisine, arts, history)?
Not interested at all
Very interested
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18.
How appealing do you find contemporary Chinese popular culture (e.g., music, films/TV, internet culture)?
Not appealing at all
Very appealing
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19.
How do you expect the cost of living (e.g., food, housing, transportation) in China (your city) to compare with the U.S.?
Much higher
Much lower
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20.
How do you expect the academic atmosphere and teaching methods (e.g., class discussions, student-teacher interaction, evaluation standards) at this Sino-American cooperative university to compare with U.S. and Chinese universities?
Completely like a Chinese university
Completely like a U.S. university
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21.
How internationalized / Westernized do you expect the campus culture (e.g., student activities, clubs, social interaction) to be at this university?
Completely Chinese-style
Completely internationalized
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22.
Before arriving, were you concerned that this Sino-American cooperative university would be an “international bubble,” making it difficult to engage with “real” Chinese society?
Not concerned at all
Very concerned
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23.
How many Chinese friends do you expect to make during this exchange?
Very many
Very few
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24.
Do you consider yourself open to different cultures?
Not open at all
Very open
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25.
Are you concerned about encountering difficult cultural conflicts in China?
Not concerned at all
Very concerned
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26.
Please select the most important reasons for deciding to participate in the exchange program at this Sino-American cooperative university.【多选题】
Experience the unique “Sino-American integrated” education model
Improve Chinese language proficiency
Gain an in-depth understanding of Chinese society and culture
Academic requirements (courses / advisors / research resources)
Benefit future career development (e.g., related to China)
Travel and explore Asia
Recommendation from friends or family
Credit requirements / program arrangement from U.S. home university
Interest in U.S.-China relations
Other (please specify):
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What are the main goals you hope to achieve through this exchange experience? 
(Open-ended response)
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Before coming to China, what aspects of China were you most curious about or most eager to experience personally?
(Open-ended response)
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What are your greatest concerns, uncertainties, or anticipated challenges regarding your upcoming life in China?
(Open-ended response)
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