To date, few studies have focused solely upon understanding the unique characteristics of Chinese international students in the United States. This inquiry examines what Chinese international students' demographic trends are over decades, what their motivations are for studying in the United States, what the unique features of their group acculturation process are, and what special challenges they face in U.S. universities that are different from what they might face in Chinese universities? This study reveals that the life of Chinese students in the United States is not easy and they have to endure multifaceted life-stresses. These results can be used to help Chinese international students adapt to the American educational environment and improve the services and programs American universities deliver to their foreign students.