This book unpacks the complex dynamics of Hong Kong students’ choice in pursuing undergraduate education at the universities of Mainland China. Drawing on an empirical study based on interviews with 51 students, this book investigates how macro political/economic factors, institutional influences, parental influence, and students’ personal motivations have shaped students’ eventual choice of university.
Building on Perna’s integrated model of college choice and Lee’s push-pull mobility model, this book conceptualizes that students’ border crossing from Hong Kong to Mainland China for higher education is a trans-contextualized negotiated choice under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. The findings reveal that during the decision-making process, influencing factors have conditioned four archetypes of student choice: Pragmatists, Achievers, Averages, and Underachievers. The book closes by proposing an enhanced integrated model of college choice that encompasses both rational motives and sociological factors, and examines the theoretical significance and practical implications of the qualitative study.
With its focus on student choice and experiences of studying in China, this book’s research and policy findings will interest researchers, university administrators, school principals, and teachers.
Author(s): Alice Y.C. Te
Series: Education and Society in China
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 204
City: London
Cover
Endorsements
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
List of figures
List of tables
Foreword by Ruth Hayhoe
Acknowledgments
List of abbreviations
1. The changing scene
Introduction
Hong Kong students’ educational choice
Higher education in China and Hong Kong
Trends
Methods
Structure of the book
Summary
References
2. Framing the concepts
Introduction
The concepts
Cross-border student mobility as “international migration”
Students border crossing as investment in human capital
Push-pull model underlying student flows
Process approach of student decision-making
An integrated model of college choice
Summary
References
3. Macro contexts under “One Country, Two Systems”
Introduction
Background
Political barriers and policy facilitation
Economic interconnectedness
Sociocultural nexuses
Turbulences since 2019 and enactment of National Security Law
Summary
References
4. The pull: Mainland universities’ incentivizing admission policies and strategies
Introduction
Setting the scene
Overview of the mainland universities recruiting Hong Kong students
The three elite universities – Fudan University, Tsinghua University, and Peking University
The three proactive recruiters – Sun Yat-sen University, Jinan University, and Huaqiao University
Summary
References
5. The push: Hong Kong schools’ facilitating roles and strategies
Introduction
Setting the scene
Types of sending schools
Roles of sending schools
Enabling strategies
Approaches of principals
Approaches of teachers
Summary
References
6. Making a choice: Family and society
Introduction
Four patterns of perceived parental influence
Profiles of interviewed students
Relations between parental types and place of origin, first-or second-generation university students and socioeconomic status
Summary
References
7. The rationale of making the choice: Four scenarios of student choice
Introduction
The approach of analysis
Reasons of making the choice – The dynamics of push and pull
Four scenarios of student choice
Summary
References
8. The process of making the choice: Three phases and the factors of influence
Introduction
How was the choice made: The three-phase process of decision-making
Phase 1: Predisposition: Forming the intention to study in the mainland universities
Phase 2: Search for and selection of admission channels, cities, universities, and programs
Phase 3: Final decision: Choice set, evaluation of options, decision criteria
Factors of influence during the decision-making process
Summary
References
9. Making a negotiated choice: Trans-contextualization
Introduction
Hong Kong students’ motivations for mainland education
The conceptualization of negotiated choice
Roles of governments as initiator and advocator
Mainland universities as active recruiters
Students’ negotiation with schools in seeking support and resources
Negotiations between students and parents
Students as ultimate decision-makers under rational choice
Summary
References
10. Contributions and conclusion
Introduction
An enhanced integrated model of college choice
Implications for future research
Implications for policies and practices
A final word for students and parents
References
Appendix I: Information of interviewees
Appendix II: Outline of interview questions
Appendix III: Information of the observations
Index
