Choosing Chinese Universities: A Negotiated Choice for Hong Kong Students

Description

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. 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