Constructing Social Networks In Another Land:A Qualitative Study Of Chinese Highly Skilled Migrants In The Netherlands

In recent years,a considerable number of Chinese students have pursued overseas education in the Netherlands and many of them have turned into highly skilled migrants after graduation and embarked on their long-term settlement.For these migrants,social network construction is critical to their intercultural adaptation and permanent settlement.However,research on the actual networking process of highly skilled migrants is still insufficient.This study draws on data from interviews with 26 Chinese highly skilled migrants in the Netherlands.Its objective is to conduct a dynamic analysis of social networks of these migrants,which includes their network construction,network maintenance and resources mobilization.Four theoretical approaches: choice-constraints approach,rational choice approach,face and favor approach,and a network theory of social capital are employed in data analysis.Based on qualitative data collected,it is found that there are two major phases of these migrants' network construction.When they first arrive in the Netherlands as international students,they generally adopt direct and indirect ways to build initial networks.The compositions of social contexts largely influence their network diversity.In the second stage of their settlement,individual rational choices play an important role in their networking process.They select and maintain some networks built in the school time,and interact with colleagues in a considered manner.Different from earlier research,this study finds that both strong and weak ties can be powerful sources of informational and emotional support.Chinese concern of favor and face is an influential factor in migrants' support-seeking process.It is hoped that this qualitative study can contribute to understanding how Chinese highly skilled migrants gradually construct their networks in the Netherlands and why their networks present certain characteristics.