Through analysing data collected from interviews with 12 students and 7 teachers, observations, students' journals and other documents at a US high school, this qualitative study examines the sociocultural adaptation of "parachute kids" from mainland China. Emerging themes revealed adjustments to be made at three levels, namely, tangible, structural and mental ones. Parachute kids who had become separated from the host culture appeared to have refused to make adjustments at any of these three levels. Those who were found to be integrated were characterised by an open and curious mind, and were proactive in making adjustments at all three levels. In between separation and integration were children willing to make some adjustments, but not at the mental level.