The Eastern Train on the Western Track: An Australian Case of Chinese Doctoral Students’ Adaptation

Contents
1 Introduction
	1.1 Research Background
		1.1.1 The General Trend: The Internationalisation of Doctoral Education
		1.1.2 The Local Context: Chinese Doctoral Students in Australia
	1.2 Identifying Problems
	1.3 Research Questions
	1.4 Research Aims
	1.5 Structure of the Book
	References
2 Literature Review
	2.1 Research into Overseas Doctoral Students
		2.1.1 The Macro Level
		2.1.2 The Meso Level
		2.1.3 The Micro Level
		2.1.4 Specific Studies of Overseas Chinese Doctoral Students
	2.2 Cross-Cultural Adaptation of International Students
		2.2.1 A Historical Overview
		2.2.2 A Tripartite Taxonomy
	2.3 Gaps in Research
	2.4 Conceptual Framework: A Bioecological Lens of Cross-Cultural Adaptation as Human Development
		2.4.1 Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Systems Theory
		2.4.2 Conceptual Framework
	References
3 Research Design and Methodology
	3.1 Introduction: Research Paradigms and Ramifications
	3.2 General Approach
	3.3 Participants and Sampling Strategy
	3.4 Data Collection
		3.4.1 Semi-Structured Interview
		3.4.2 Critical Incident Technique
		3.4.3 Visual Method
	3.5 Data Analysis
	3.6 Trustworthiness
	3.7 Ethics Considerations
	References
4 Conceiving and Preparing: Unfolding the Doctoral Map
	4.1 Making a Decision About Ph.D. Study in Australia
		4.1.1 Motivational Goals
		4.1.2 Decision-Making Factors
	4.2 Preparing to Start a Ph.D. in Australia
		4.2.1 Academic and Research Skills
		4.2.2 Information About Doctoral Study and Daily Life
	4.3 Conclusion
	References
5 Surviving and Thriving: Navigating the Doctoral Trajectory
	5.1 Affective Perspective Through Visual Graphics: Fluctuating Flow of Emotional Wellbeing
		5.1.1 Social Agents
		5.1.2 Activities
		5.1.3 Exemplary Graphics
	5.2 Behavioural Perspective Through Critical Incident Technique: Adoption of Varied Coping Strategies
		5.2.1 Combating Language Barriers
		5.2.2 Negotiating Research Routines
		5.2.3 Capitalising on Assets
	5.3 Cognitive Perspective Through Interview: Positionality of Researcher Identity in the Research Community
		5.3.1 An Independent yet Equal Positionality
		5.3.2 Socialisation as Consolidation of Researcher Identification
	5.4 Conclusion
	References
6 Reflecting and Evaluating: Assessing the Doctoral Experience
	6.1 Defining Nature of the Doctoral Trajectory
		6.1.1 Product-Orientation Versus Process-Orientation
		6.1.2 Internal Forces Versus External Forces
	6.2 Costs and Benefits of the Doctoral Experience
		6.2.1 Costs
		6.2.2 Benefits
	6.3 Conclusion
	References
7 Discussion: Cross-Cultural Adaptation Within the Bioecological Systems Theory
	7.1 Overseas Doctoral Journey as a Bioecological Development Trajectory
		7.1.1 A Development Perspective
		7.1.2 A Bioecological Perspective
	7.2 PPCT Analysis of Cross-Cultural Adaptation
		7.2.1 Proximal Processes
		7.2.2 Personal Characteristics
		7.2.3 Context
		7.2.4 Time
	7.3 Evaluating the Theoretic Framework
	7.4 Conclusion
	References
8 Towards a Total Picture of Cross-Cultural Adaptation
	8.1 Practical and Theoretical Discovery
		8.1.1 Findings from Planning Stage
		8.1.2 Findings from Implementing Stage
		8.1.3 Findings from Reflecting Stage
		8.1.4 A Synergistic Conceptualisation of Three Stages
	8.2 Implications of This Study
		8.2.1 Implications for International Doctoral Students
		8.2.2 Implications for Other Concerned Parties
	8.3 Constructing a Total Picture
		8.3.1 Ph.D. Students as Developing Human
		8.3.2 Research Training Trajectory
		8.3.3 Impacts of Ecological Environment on Research Training
		8.3.4 Connecting All the Components
	8.4 Final Conclusion
	References