Who Withdraw From Studying Abroad? A Study on Chinese Students’ Decision-Making Using Prospect Theory

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 9:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Social Justice and International Minority Representation in Education (Table 1)

Abstract

The study explores the dynamics of students’ decisions regarding studying abroad amidst risks using cases from Sino-foreign joint institution during the 2018-2022 period. Contrary to predominant utility perspective and rational choice theory, this study employs Prospect Theory to elucidate the nuanced mechanism behind students’ decisions to study overseas, giving explanations on why students made different choices when confronted with similar risks. Through a mix-method approach and four-year tracking on students from a Sino-foreign Joint Institute, this study explains the impact of domestic development opportunities on student choices, analyzes the role noneconomic considerations in decision-making process, and discusses how students’ risk preference is linked with their academic basis and family conditions.

Author

• Yuchen Yang, East China Normal University