Chinese Educational Mobility to the United States: A Historical Perspective

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 11:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Towards Global Perspectives on Education

Abstract

While the presence of Chinese students in U.S. higher education has become increasingly prominent, the historical roots of these educational exchanges remain underexplored. This review adopts a historical perspective to examine complex interplay between educational mobility and U.S.-China diplomatic relations, spanning three critical junctures: the early period of cultural exchanges (1850s–1930s), the phase of shifting alliances and adversaries (1940s–1960s), and the resumption of U.S.-China exchanges during diplomatic normalization (1970s–1990s). Employing critical geopolitics, this paper argues that educational exchanges have long served as a vital instrument for advancing national interests and fostering cross-cultural dialogue. However, their sustainability remains deeply contingent upon macro-level geopolitical landscapes, with diplomatic relations and state policies acting as key determinants in shaping mobility trends.

Author

• Jing Yu, University of Wisconsin - Madison