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This article reviews the intercultural adaptability (IA) development models for students in South Korea and China in response to the growing internationalisation of higher education. The article provides significant implications for Confucian heritage culture (CHC) countries and others that wish to enhance in higher education.

This scoping review systematically investigates the literature on different IA development strategies for students in higher education across these two Asian countries.

South Korea has promoted the self-growth model reflected in internationalised programmes such as English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI), an international learning environment with an increasing number of international students and student exchange programmes. Through these initiatives, domestic students’ identity and intercultural learning dynamics are enriched in an intercultural learning environment. Meanwhile, China has adopted the “Outward-oriented” higher education internationalisation model to attract international students to study in Chinese universities and entice Chinese returnees through its International Talent Training Programmes. In this strategy, international students are exposed to Chinese language and cultural knowledge development programmes, and Chinese students are motivated to learn the English language and cultures through interactions with their international peers.

Student IA development models in CHC countries remain underexplored. This article responds to the need of higher education institutions in Asian countries that wish to access and learn from effective IA models from other CHC countries. The study makes a valuable contribution by putting forward significant recommendations for developing students’ IA in CHC countries.