Toward a More Inclusive Conceptualization of Internationalization of Higher Education : The Chinese Students’ Perspectives

Youliang ZHANG; Kai ZHAO; Yawen  WENG

doi:10.1007/s40299-025-00997-9

Toward a More Inclusive Conceptualization of Internationalization of Higher Education : The Chinese Students’ Perspectives

Youliang ZHANG
, Kai ZHAO^*
, Yawen WENG

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Graduate Studies

Research output: Journal Publications › Journal Article (refereed) › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Although Knight’s (J Stud High Educ 8(1):5–31, 2004) definition of internationalization is widely cited, it is often criticized as western-centered and may not be suitable for non-western contexts. This study explores the perspectives and critical reflections on the concept of internationalization of Chinese graduate students at a Hong Kong university. Findings highlight the differences in the ideas and practices of higher education internationalization between western and non-western countries, as well as the challenges brought about by the COVID- 19 pandemic and changing geopolitics. This study provides insights on how Chinese students - as stakeholders, education researchers, and future professionals - make sense of the internationalization and reflect on the future of internationalization.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1849-1857
Number of pages	9
Journal	Asia-Pacific Education Researcher
Volume	34
Issue number	5
Early online date	10 Apr 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-025-00997-9
Publication status	Published - Oct 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.

Funding

Open Access Publishing Support Fund provided by Lingnan University. This research is funded by Beijing Municipal University Teacher Team Construction Support Program “Outstanding Young Talent Cultivation Program” (Fund No. BPHR202203027).

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

Keywords

Internationalization
Non-Western
Inclusive
Global well-being

Access to Document

10.1007/s40299-025-00997-9Licence: CC BY

Cite this

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abstract = "Although Knight{\textquoteright}s (J Stud High Educ 8(1):5–31, 2004) definition of internationalization is widely cited, it is often criticized as western-centered and may not be suitable for non-western contexts. This study explores the perspectives and critical reflections on the concept of internationalization of Chinese graduate students at a Hong Kong university. Findings highlight the differences in the ideas and practices of higher education internationalization between western and non-western countries, as well as the challenges brought about by the COVID- 19 pandemic and changing geopolitics. This study provides insights on how Chinese students - as stakeholders, education researchers, and future professionals - make sense of the internationalization and reflect on the future of internationalization.",

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AU - WENG, Yawen

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N2 - Although Knight’s (J Stud High Educ 8(1):5–31, 2004) definition of internationalization is widely cited, it is often criticized as western-centered and may not be suitable for non-western contexts. This study explores the perspectives and critical reflections on the concept of internationalization of Chinese graduate students at a Hong Kong university. Findings highlight the differences in the ideas and practices of higher education internationalization between western and non-western countries, as well as the challenges brought about by the COVID- 19 pandemic and changing geopolitics. This study provides insights on how Chinese students - as stakeholders, education researchers, and future professionals - make sense of the internationalization and reflect on the future of internationalization.

AB - Although Knight’s (J Stud High Educ 8(1):5–31, 2004) definition of internationalization is widely cited, it is often criticized as western-centered and may not be suitable for non-western contexts. This study explores the perspectives and critical reflections on the concept of internationalization of Chinese graduate students at a Hong Kong university. Findings highlight the differences in the ideas and practices of higher education internationalization between western and non-western countries, as well as the challenges brought about by the COVID- 19 pandemic and changing geopolitics. This study provides insights on how Chinese students - as stakeholders, education researchers, and future professionals - make sense of the internationalization and reflect on the future of internationalization.

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KW - Non-Western

KW - Inclusive

KW - Global well-being

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DO - 10.1007/s40299-025-00997-9

M3 - Journal Article (refereed)

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SP - 1849

EP - 1857

JO - Asia-Pacific Education Researcher

JF - Asia-Pacific Education Researcher

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ER -

Toward a More Inclusive Conceptualization of Internationalization of Higher Education : The Chinese Students’ Perspectives

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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