Cultural Hybridity and Displacement: Experiences of Students in China's International Branch Campuses

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: SIG-Multicultural/Multiethnic Education: Theory, Research, and Practice Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examines the cultural experiences of students in International Branch Campuses (IBCs) in China. Drawing on Homi Bhabha’s concepts of cultural hybridity and the “third space”, findings reveal that IBC students exhibit hybrid value orientations, balancing Chinese and Western influences. However, they also face a sense of cultural displacement, being criticized as “worshipping foreign culture” and feeling disconnected from both cultures. IBCs function as “third spaces” of cultural negotiation, with students fluidly navigating tensions between Chinese and Western affiliations. The study highlights the complex cultural politics of IBCs and the need for inclusive environments that support students' hybrid identities. Implications underscore possibilities for fostering belonging in these transnational educational spaces.

Authors

• Jingru Qu, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen

• Junpeng Liang, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen

• Mengjie Yin, The Chinese University of Hong Kong