Acculturative challenges and intercultural communication competence in the Sino-Anglo cultural duet: The tales of mainland Chinese students in Hong Kong

This study explores the acculturative challenges faced by mainland Chinese students in Hong Kong and their active engagement in improving intercultural communication (IC) competence, which could propel the cross-cultural adaptation transition. By underpinning the concepts of acculturation expectations, intergroup ideologies, IC competence, and original cultural identity negotiation, this study navigates mainland Chinese students’ vivid stories regarding two primary domains: (a) acculturative challenges and IC gaps after arrival and (b) original cultural identity negotiation to promote IC competence in HK society. The findings and discussions promote scholarly conversations about linguistic and social media factors influencing acculturative stressors, intergroup ideologies, and identity negotiation to promote IC competence, which could be a secondary coping strategy. Overall, this study attempts to bridge knowledge gaps about the missing side of acculturation within the context of the Sino-Anglo cultural duet and beyond.