A Study On The Benefit Rationale Of Chinese Students Studying Abroad

Chinese students have been studying abroad for more than 100 years.From the modern government-sponsored study abroad,young people with ambition saved the country in danger,to the popular trend of studying abroad,more and more ordinary families become the main force of studying abroad,the cause of studying abroad in China has different characteristics in different historical periods.The world is in an era of profound change,with structural changes in the pattern of overseas study and COVID-19 further affecting global mobility.As the largest source of students studying abroad,the number of Chinese students studying abroad has maintained positive growth.The actual demand for Chinese students studying abroad has not been significantly affected by the epidemic.Starting from the rationale of the benefits of studying abroad,this paper explains why a large number of Chinese students still choose to study abroad in an era of high risk and low returns.In this study,317 valid questionnaires and in-depth interviews with 22 overseas students were used to analyze the main content and characteristics of Chinese overseas students’ rationale of benefits from studying abroad,and to explain the change and development process of the concept,and to reveal the environmental factors of the formation of the concept.This paper bases on a cost-benefit decision theory,theory of family intergenerational transmission and theory of imaginaries of im/mobility,describes the income concept of Chinese overseas students from three periods: before,during and after studying abroad,explains the reasons for such changes and explores income concept formed in the process of the impact of the external environment.First of all,this study finds the intrinsic value of studying abroad for individual self-development,and further points out the significance of non-economic benefits for overseas students on the basis of the extensive attention paid to the economic benefits of studying abroad.In the process of studying abroad,Chinese students feel a clearer self-awareness,conduct a deeper exploration of life,acquire academic knowledge,life skills and rich life experience,and gain some gains in thinking development,interpersonal relationship,life experience,self-realization and other aspects.Chinese overseas students generally believe that studying abroad has rewards beyond the monetary meaning,and the recognition and attention to these deeper,diversified and hidden non-economic benefits is an important reason driving them to choose to study abroad.Secondly,this study believes that the concept of benefits of studying abroad among Chinese students is changing and developing,presenting different characteristics in different stages of studying abroad.After going abroad,the number of people who thought the benefits of studying abroad were mainly economic decreased from 16.2% to 10.1%,and the number of people who thought the benefits were mainly non-economic increased from 28.1% to 42.6%.Before going abroad,Chinese students’ concept of income mainly shows that they pay attention to investment income and hope to gain better career prospects and enrich their experience through studying abroad.After going abroad,they have a deeper perception of internal growth gains such as ability improvement,life exploration and self-realization.Such gains can be accumulated and deposited on individuals over time,and finally stand out.Finally,the social environment and family environment jointly shape the overseas students’ concept of income,and the change of external environment promotes the change of individual income concept.The differences in social environment at home and abroad,the surging social risks abroad,the fierce employment competition at home,family culture and parents’ educational concepts all exert an influence on Chinese students’ concept of benefits from studying abroad.This study for the comprehensive understanding of Chinese students in the new historical period income concept connotation,types,characteristics,concept of income differences between different groups and different stages of development and change of the concept of earnings theory has enlightening significance,for study abroad for economic gain meaning of the individual self-development and value realization,meaning and function has carried on the systematic investigation and analysis,This paper expands and supplements the traditional view on the benefits of studying abroad which focuses on economic benefits.