Chinese Identity, Chineseness and International Education

• In Event: 40862 - Section on Human Rights Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Human Rights Roundtable 1

Abstract

My project is based on understanding the unique identities in relation to lived experiences of international Chinese students who have been studying and living in Western democracies for a prolonged period (4+years) – specifically focusing on those studying in the UK, USA, Australia, or New Zealand. More specially, this study adopts an interpretive ethnographic research perspective, allowing participants to reflect on their life stories and histories. It also examines the extent to which Chinese overseas students’ identities, and notion of ‘Chineseness’ are impacted by international education in Western democratic countries.
An overarching aim is to investigate and understand, using visual ethnography research method to capture participants’ understanding of identity within transnational space. This is combined with employing in-depth structured interviews to explore the unique identity challenges and internal conflicts faced by this unique community against the increasingly hostile political and social environment climate in China.
It is hoped that this unique research will provide a new perspective on the Chinese international student community, particularly giving voice to those who experience an identity dislocation, identified as "ideological refugee" following experiences of Western democratic education. More important, I hope to find a new group of people through these unique experiences who can give us a fresh sense of belonging.

Author

• Yajing Sun, University of Cambridge