Choosing Chinese Universities: A Negotiated Choice for Hong Kong Students

This book explores the complex dynamics of Hong Kong students' choice in pursuing undergraduate education at universities in Mainland China, investigating how macro political/economic factors, institutional influences, parental influence, and personal motivations shape their decisions. It conceptualizes this border-crossing phenomenon as a trans-contextualized negotiated choice under the One Country, Two Systems principle and identifies four archetypes of student choice: pragmatists, achievers, averages, and underachievers. The book proposes an enhanced integrated model of college choice that considers both rational motives and sociological factors and examines the theoretical significance and practical implications of the qualitative study.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 07 October 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate dynamics of Hong Kong students' decision-making process when pursuing undergraduate education at universities in Mainland China. Drawing upon an empirical study conducted through in-depth interviews with a remarkable 51 students, the book explores the multifaceted factors that shape their educational choices. By integrating Pernas' integrated model of college choice and Lees' push-pull mobility model, the author proposes a novel conceptualization of students' border-crossing journey from Hong Kong to Mainland China for higher education as a trans-contextualized, negotiated choice within the framework of the One Country, Two Systems principle.

The findings unveiled through this research shed light on the diverse range of student choice archetypes: Pragmatists, Achievers, Averages, and Underachievers. These archetypes emerge as a result of the interplay between macro political/economic factors, institutional influences, parental influence, and individual student motivations. The book closes by offering an enhanced integrated model of college choice that encompasses both rational motives and sociological factors, while also examining the theoretical significance and practical implications of the qualitative study.

This book holds immense value for researchers, university administrators, school principals, and teachers alike. Its focus on student choice and experiences in China provides valuable insights into the educational landscape and offers valuable policy recommendations for stakeholders involved in shaping the future of higher education in Hong Kong and beyond.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032022741