Exploring Factors for Achieving Successful Educational Attainment among Chinese Doctoral Students in the United States

Authors

  • Shiyou Wu Arizona State University, USA
  • Qi Wu Arizona State University, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1154-6186
  • Xiaojiang Wei Renmin University of China, China
  • Sarah E. Bledsoe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
  • David Ansong University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v10i2.844

Keywords:

Chinese doctoral student, Chinese education, education inequity, educational attainment, higher education

Abstract

This study aims to understand the pathways of successful educational attainment (SEA) among Chinese students who are pursuing doctorate degrees in the United States. An exploratory qualitative approach was used to identify the factors of SEA. Based on the in-depth interviews of nine participants, we found common factors of SEA at the micro level include individuals’ personalities, visions/dreams of achieving SEA, and interest about study/research; mezzo level factors include important peoples’ help, satisfaction with teachers, previous education experiences in China, and home environment; whereas at the macro level, not many participants mentioned that their SEA was due to Chinese social policy. Overall, most participants mentioned that being lucky was an important factor of SEA.

Author Biographies

  • Shiyou Wu, Arizona State University, USA

    SHIYOU WU, MSW, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University. His major research interests lie in the area of social determinants of health and create interventions to improve health for impoverished populations nationally and internationally

  • Qi Wu, Arizona State University, USA

    QI WU, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University. Her research examines protective factors in youth development and child welfare including kinship diversion, caregivers, and the impacts of welfare participation.

  • Xiaojiang Wei, Renmin University of China, China

    XIAOJIANG WEI (Corresponding Author), MSW, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Sociology and Population Studies, Renmin University of China. His research focuses on Chinese social problems and social development issues.

  • Sarah E. Bledsoe, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA

    SARAH BLEDSOE, MSW, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on mental health services research, evidence-based practice and interpersonal psychotherapy.

  • David Ansong, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA

    DAVID ANSONG, MSW, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on identifying interventions to address economic and educational disparities among low-income youth and families in resource-limited countries.

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Published

2020-05-15

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2020): 10th Anniversary Series

Section

Research Articles (English)

Categories

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How to Cite

Exploring Factors for Achieving Successful Educational Attainment among Chinese Doctoral Students in the United States. (2020). Journal of International Students, 10(2), 244-264. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v10i2.844