Chinese only children: Experiences in U.S. universities

Chinese international students have become an important student group for U.S. higher education institutions. However, unlike students from other countries, the current generation of Chinese students has grown up under the government’s population control policy, which has resulted in the unique family pattern of having only one child. Although researchers have recognized the importance of learning about Chinese students, this unique family structure and its impact are still understudied. In this research, I would like to review the relationship between the one-child policy and Chinese students studying in the U.S. and examine how family dynamics impact Chinese only children students’ experiences during their time overseas in the United States. Through this study, I would like to build a more comprehensive understanding of Chinese students in the U.S. by not only studying their college experience in the U.S. but also exploring their life and family relationships. This research aims at contributing to the questions of how international students’ home countries’ policy and cultures shape their lives as they study in the U.S. and how U.S. higher education practitioners could improve their services and support for Chinese students. In addition, this research includes interviews and a discussion about Covid-19’s impact on Chinese students, seeking to provide early insight on how the latest global events may influence the golden era for Chinese students studying in the U.S.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Policy Studies

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2021

Author dc:creator

• Tang, Xiaokang

Contributors dc:contributor

• Witt, M. Allison
• Herrera, Linda
• Liao, Tim
• Pak, Yoon

• Chinese international students
• One-child policy

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2020 Xiaokang Tang

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/109611

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/109611