The Mentoring Experiences Of International Graduate Students In A Key Comprehensive Chinese University(KCCU)

Mentoring has a considerable contribution to the success and progress of international graduate students.The purpose of this mixed methods case study was to explore the mentoring relationships between Faculty Mentors and the International Graduate Student mentees(IGSMs)in the Key Comprehensive Chinese University(KCCU).This research study utilizes Bronfenbrenner's(2009)Bioecological Systems Theory as a lens to understand the multiple factors affecting the mentoring experiences of IGSMs in KCCU.Six Faculty Mentors and their six international Graduate Student mentees participated in the individual interviews which lasted for 45 to 90 minutes each(dyadic approach).Besides,the researcher carried out Focus Group Discussion with 12 IGSMs and also distributed a questionnaire for other 167 International Graduate Students in order to enhance the credibility of the information.In this mixed methods case study,the researcher employed a systematic inductive approach to analyzing the data that involved memo writing,multi-step coding and theoretical sampling.The findings suggest that mentoring is a dynamic,complex and powerful tool and investment which benefits the mentors(by way of boosting their confidence,getting promotion and sense of satisfaction),the mentees(by enhancing their personal,academic and professional skills and achieving their goals)and the Higher Education Institution(increase in retention and graduation rate,heightening the reputation and ranking and so on).The IGSM's age,previous academic achievements in the home country,mentor-mentee duration and frequency of time for meeting,awareness about the available support services,teaching and learning strategies,curriculum,financial and language barriers considerably influenced the academic performance of the IGSMs.The mentors expressed that there is a need for a standardized and innovative mentoring scheme whereby mentors are mentored on how to treat,advise,supervise and guide IGSMs and develop cross-cultural competence,self-reflection and cultural sensitivity.The mentees highlighted mutual trust,commitment and communication as important prerequisites for an effective cross-cultural mentoring relationship.Finally,the mentors and mentees shared their perspectives with regards to the role mentoring plays in spurring the academic performance of the international graduate students as measured primarily by their grade point average(GPA)and graduation rate.Furthermore,the findings of this research study yielded recommendations for practice and policy.On top of that,it appears that further exploration on cross-cultural mentoring relationships in various educational contexts with special emphasis on international education involving undergraduates,graduates and postdoctoral students is of paramount importance.It is safe to conclude that mentoring contributes immensely to the successful and sustainable development of intergenerational education benefiting Higher Education Institutions in general,and mentors and mentees in particular.