Studying overseas: mainland Chinese students in Singapore

Abstract

This paper reports a study aimed at developing a substantive theory on the perspectives of Mainland Chinese studying in Singaporean universities. The study was guided by two research questions: (1) Why do university students from Mainland China choose to study in Singapore? and (2) How do Mainland Chinese university students manage the experience of studying in Singapore, a different cultural environment? A grounded theory approach was adopted and the so‐called theory of ‘selective pragmatism’ was generated. The theory suggests that Mainland Chinese students at Singaporean universities can be classified into three ‘types’ – the ‘intellectuals’, the ‘opportunists’ and the ‘loyalists’ – according to how they individually exercise choices and decisions based on four categories – push forces in regard to China, pull forces in regard to Singapore; individual resilience in coping and adapting to life overseas; and future career intentions. Common to all, however, is pragmatism, which is selectively exercised in different ways, thereby distinguishing the three types.

Keywords:

• Mainland Chinese overseas students
• culture
• Singapore
• grounded theory

Notes

1. For confidentiality, each of the participants was given a ‘coded’ name beginning with ‘GR’ for (group) followed by their respective group number of either ‘1’ or ‘2’ and their individual number. The number ‘1’ represents students from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National Institute of Education (NIE). The number ‘2’ represents students from the National University of Singapore (NUS). Two replacements were marked with a ‘+’ sign immediately after their number.