“Disillusioned expectations”

The impact of expectations on university belonging among students in Sino-foreign cooperative education institutions

Authors

  • Peijun Luo Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
  • Xiaoqiao Zhang Shanghai Jiao Tong University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/pjv4qm97

Keywords:

University Belonging, Expectations, Sino-foreign cooperative education institutions

Abstract

Students’ enrollment expectations significantly shape their university belonging (Yao, 2016). This study investigates the impact of such expectations through qualitative interviews with 13 undergraduate students at a Sino-foreign cooperative education institution in Shanghai. Findings reveal that students’ high expectations centered on: institutional prestige, access to global resources, and the continuation of personal strengths. However, these expectations frequently conflict with academic pressure, institutional fragmentation, and limited resource accessibility. These mismatches can lower students’ overall sense of university belonging. To address this, institutions should clarify potential academic and social challenges during admissions to manage expectations. Closer collaboration in curriculum, activities, and faculty-student engagement is also needed to create an inclusive environment, enhancing university belonging and promoting high-quality international education.

Author Biographies

  • Peijun Luo , Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

    Peijun Luo, MA, is a Graduate of Education in the School of Education at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. Her major research interests lie in Sino-foreign cooperative education and college students’ sense of belonging to university. Email: 2593309506@qq.com

  • Xiaoqiao Zhang, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

    Xiaoqiao Zhang (Corresponding author), PhD, is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean (in charge of foreign affairs) in the School of Education at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. Her major research interests lie in the areas of cross-cultural student adaptability, international student education, and student mental health. Email: xiaoqiao.zhang@sjtu.edu.cn

References

Ahn, M., & Davis, H. (2020). Four domains of students' sense of belonging to university. Studies in Higher Education (Dorchester-on-Thames), 45(3), 622-634. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2018.1564902 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2018.1564902

Atabey, N., Aydoğan, M., Gelbal, S., & Olkun, S. (2020). Future Expectations and Self-Efficacy of High School Students as a Predictor of Sense of School Belonging. Egitim ve Bilim, 45(201), 125–141. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2020.8315 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2020.8315

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W H Freeman.

Bhat, H. V., & Inamdar, N. (2025). Internationalization of Higher Education: The Dynamics of Educational Ecology (1st ed.). Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003505365-1

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa DOI: https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

CCG Global Institute. (2022, September 28). The Blue Book of the Development Report on Chinese Students Studying Abroad (2022). CCG Global Institute. http://www.ccg.org.cn/archives/71812

Cemalcilar, Z. (2010). Schools as socialization contexts: Understanding the impact of school climate factors on students’ sense of school belonging. Applied Psychology, 59(2), 243–272. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2009.00389.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2009.00389.x

Cena, E., Burns, S., & Wilson, P. (2021). Sense of belonging, intercultural and academic experiences among international students at a University in Northern Ireland. Journal of International Students, 11(4), 812–831. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v11i4.2541 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v11i4.2541

Chen, X. M. (2000). Qualitative research methods and social science research. Educational Science Press.

Creswell, J. W., & Miller, D. L. (2000). Determining validity in qualitative inquiry. Theory Into Practice, 39(3), 124–130. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1477543 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15430421tip3903_2

De Ridder-Symoens, H. (Ed.). (1992). A history of the university in Europe: Vol. 1. Universities in the Middle Ages. Cambridge University Press.

Dong, H. Y., & Zhou, H. B. (2017). A discussion on students’ school belongingness in Sino-foreign cooperative education programs: A case study of the China-Australia cooperative MBA program at East China University of Science and Technology. World Education Information, 30(18), 67–71. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/

Dong, J., & Ni, J. (2020). New directions of Sino-foreign cooperative education in Chinese universities. Jiangsu Higher Education, (11), 120–124. https://doi.org/10.13236/j.cnki.jshe.2020.11.022

Dong, Q. (2019). Psychological and educational research methods (2nd ed.). Beijing Normal University Press.

Dubow, E. F., Arnett, M., Smith, K., & Ippolito, M. F. (2001). Predictors of future expectations of inner-city children. Journal of Early Adolescence, 21(1), 5–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431601021001001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431601021001001

Eccles, J. S., & Wigfield, A. (2020). From expectancy-value theory to situated expectancy-value theory: A developmental, social, and cultural perspective. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 60, 101824. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101859 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101859

European University Association. (2013). Internationalization in European Higher Education: European Policies, Institutional Strategies and EUA Support. Brussels: European University Association.

Freeman, T. M., Anderman, L. H., & Jensen, J. M. (2007). Sense of belonging in college freshmen at the classroom and Campus Levels. The Journal of Experimental Education, 75(3), 203–220. https://doi.org/10.3200/JEXE.75.3.203-220 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3200/JEXE.75.3.203-220

Gillen-O’Neel, C., & Fuligni, A. (2013). A longitudinal study of school belonging and academic motivation across high school. Child Development, 84(2), 678–692. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2012.01862.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2012.01862.x

Gopalan, M., & Brady, S. T. (2020). College students’ sense of belonging: A national perspective. Educational Researcher, 49(2), 134–137. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X19897622 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X19897622

Glesne, C. (2016). Becoming qualitative researchers: An introduction (5th ed.). Pearson Education. ISBN-13: 9780137617531 (2021 update)

Guo, Q., & Liu, Y. (2021). Analysis of the Current Situation of Talent Cultivation in Sino-foreign Cooperative Universities under the Background of “Double First-Class”. Heilongjiang Studies on Higher Education, 39(3), 52–58. https://link.cnki.net/doi/10.19903/j.cnki.cn23-1074/g.2021.03.010

Guo, Q., & Ye, M. L. (2022). Research on the Collaborative Innovation Path of Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Universities under the Background of “Double First-Class” - Based on the Analysis of Statistical Data of 5 Universities in Recent Years. Science & Technology of Chinese Universities, (Z1), 72–76. https://link.cnki.net/doi/10.16209/j.cnki.cust.2022.z1.007

Ha, Z., Chen, Y., & Wang, Z. (2019). Investigation on the current status of school belongingness among college students and exploration of improvement approaches. Journal of Ideological and Theoretical Education, (5), 142–147.https://doi.org/10.16580/j.sxlljydk.2019.05.038

Hang, Y., & Zhang, X. (2023). Acculturation and enculturation of the majority group across domains. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 97, 101893. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2023.101893 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2023.101893

Högberg, B., Petersen, S., Strandh, M., & Johansson, K. (2021). Determinants of Declining School Belonging 2000–2018: The Case of Sweden. Social Indicators Research, 157(2), 783–802. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-021-02662-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-021-02662-2

Hong, M. S., Jeon, M., & Ayhan, K. J. (2021). International scholarship for social change? Recontextualizing Global Korea Scholarship alumni’s perceptions of justice and diversity in South Korea. Politics & Policy, 49(6), 1359. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12435 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12435

Hang, Y., & Zhang, X. (2022). How Chinese students manage their transition to higher education effectively: student initiative at Sino-foreign cooperative universities. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 45(1), 69–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2022.2047610 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2022.2047610

Hurtado, S., & Ponjuan, L. (2005). Latino educational outcomes and the campus climate. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 4(3), 235–251. https://doi.org/10.1177/1538192705276548 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1538192705276548

Israelashvili, M. (1997). School adjustment, school membership, and adolescents’ future expectations. Journal of Adolescence, 20(5), 525–535. https://doi.org/10.1006/jado.1997.0107 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/jado.1997.0107

Lai, M., & Jung, J. (2024). Internationalization with Chinese characteristics: exploring the paradox in students' experiences at Sino-foreign cooperative universities. Studies in Higher Education (Dorchester-on-Thames), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2024.2386409 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2024.2386409

Lee, J., & Ciftci, A. (2014). Asian international students’ sociocultural adaptation: Influence of multicultural personality, assertiveness, academic self-efficacy, and social support. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 38, 97–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2013.08.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2013.08.009

Lin, J. H. (2017). New Characteristics, New Problems and New Trends of Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Education in the New Era. China Higher Education Research, (12), 35-37+55. https://doi.org/10.16298/j.cnki.1004-3667.2017.12.09

Liu, J. (2022, September 20). The 13th Press Conference of the “Education in the Past Decade” 1 + 1 Series: Introducing the Situation of Educational International Cooperation and Exchange since the 18th National Congress of the CPC. Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. http://www.moe.gov.cn/fbh/live/2022/54849/

Liu, Y., & Wang, Y. Q. (2021). Satisfaction of College Students in Sino-foreign Cooperative Education Programs with the Teaching of Chinese and Foreign Teachers - Levels, Influencing Factors and Improvement Strategies. Journal of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Social Sciences Edition), 34(1), 158–164. https://doi.org/10.13766/j.bhsk.1008-2204.2020.0026

Lu, G. S., Kang, H., & Yan, N. (2013). Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Education: Current Situation, Problems and Development Strategies. Research in Higher Education of Engineering, (4), 75–80. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/

Ma, X. (2020, August 3). Joint institutions and programs: Alternative choice of international education in postpandemic era. China Daily. https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202008/03/WS5f2750b9a31083481725daac.html

Ma, L., He, Q., Zhao, Y., & Kyrios, M. (2018). Investigation of mental health status among students in Sino-foreign cooperative education programs. Journal of Southwest University (Natural Science Edition), 43(6), 148–153. https://doi.org/10.13718/j.cnki.xsxb.2018.06.024

Miani, M., & Picucci-Huang, S. C. (Susan). (2023). Learning and Teaching in Transnational Education in China: Voices from Sino-Foreign Cooperative Universities. Chinese Education & Society, 56(5–6), 303–308. https://doi.org/10.1080/10611932.2024.2303912 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10611932.2024.2303912

Nuñez, A.-M. (2009). A critical paradox? predictors of latino students' sense of belonging in college. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 2(1), 46–61. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014099 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014099

Oliver, R. L. (1980). A cognitive model of the antecedents and consequences of satisfaction decisions. Journal of Marketing Research, 17(4), 460–469. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378001700405 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378001700405

Jones, E., Coelen, R., Beelen, J., & De Wit, H. (2016). Introduction. In E. Jones, R. Coelen, J. Beelen, & H. De Wit (Eds.), Global and local internationalization: Global perspectives on higher education (Vol. 34, pp. 1-4). Sense Publishers. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6300-301-8_1

Pittman, L. D., & Richmond, A. (2007). Academic and psychological functioning in late adolescence: The importance of school belonging. The Journal of Experimental Education, 75(4), 270–290. https://doi.org/10.3200/JEXE.75.4.270-292 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3200/JEXE.75.4.270-292

Porter, J., McDermott, T., Daniels, H., & Ingram, J. (2021). Feeling Part of the School and Feeling Safe: Further Development of a Tool for Investigating School Belonging. Educational Studies, Ahead-of-print, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2021.1944063 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2021.1944063

Rabiei-Kashanaki, M., Pourebrahimi, M., & Khodabakhshi-Koolaee, A. (2025). Motivations, opportunities, and challenges of Afghan immigrant students in Iranian universities: A qualitative inquiry. Journal of International Students, 15(12), 21–38. https://doi.org/10.32674/pr0cax08 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/pr0cax08

Ruedas-Gracia, N., Jiang, G., & Maghsoodi, A. (2023). Is Belonging Stable Over Time?: A Four-Year Longitudinal Examination of University Belonging Differences Among Students. Emerging Adulthood (Thousand Oaks, CA), 11(4), 1022–1038. https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968231181720 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968231181720

Sánchez-Sandoval, Y., & Verdugo, L. (2016). Development and validation of the Adolescent Future Expectations Scale. Anales De Psicología Annals of Psychology, 32(2), 545–554. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.32.2.205661 DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.32.2.205661

Shen, Y. (2020). Bibliometric analysis of Sino-foreign cooperative education research in China since 2000. Higher Education Forum, (3), 77–81. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/

Shi, C. G., & Wu, S. Z. (2012). On the Party Building Work for Students under the Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Education Model. Journal of Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, 34(S4), 100. https://doi.org/10.13781/j.cnki.1007-9556.2012.s4.078

Slaten, C. (2016). School Belonging: A Review of the History, Current Trends, and Future Directions. The Educational and Developmental Psychologist, 33(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1017/edp.2016.6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/edp.2016.6

Şimşek, H. (2012). Future expectations of high school students in Southeastern Turkey: Factors behind future expectations. Kuramsal Eğitim Bilim Dergisi, 5(1), 90–109. http://www.keg.aku.edu.tr

State Council of the People's Republic of China. (2003, March 1). The Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Education. The Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2019/content_5468875.html

Strayhorn, T. L. (2012). College students' sense of belonging: A key to educational success for all students. Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203118924

Tan, Z. (2009). The Dual Role of Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Education in the Development of China's Higher Education. Modern Education Management，(3), 24-26. https://doi.org/10.16697/j.cnki.xdjygl.2009.03.032

Tight, M. (2022). Internationalization of higher education beyond the West: challenges and opportunities - the research evidence. Educational Research and Evaluation, 27(3–4), 239–259. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322969.2020.1820898 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13803611.2022.2041853

Verdugo, L., & Sánchez-Sandoval, Y. (2022). Psychological and Social Adjustment as Antecedents of High School Students’ Future Expectations. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 32(1), 39–53. https://doi.org/10.1017/jgc.2020.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/jgc.2020.1

Wang, X. P. (2009). Analysis of the symbolic characteristics of higher education consumption: From the perspective of individual consumers. Theory and Practice of Education, 29(33), 3–5. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/

Xie, Y. F. (2011). On the cultivation of students’ sense of belonging in Sino-foreign cooperative education in colleges and universities: Taking the Sino-US cooperative education project of Ningbo Institute of Technology, Zhejiang University as an example. Contemporary Education Forum (Management Research), (02), 87–88. https://doi.org/10.13694/j.cnki.ddjylt.2011.02.040

Yang, H. (2025). Behind closed doors: How roommate and staff relationships shape Chinese international students’ belonging in residence halls. Journal of International Students, 15(12), 97–118. https://doi.org/10.32674/v4evwr18 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/v4evwr18

Yang, P., Zhao, X., Zhang, X., & Li, A. (2025). Intercultural competence of Chinese students abroad: An investigation under Sino-foreign Cooperative Education Programs. PloS One, 20(2), e0316937. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316937 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316937

Yao, C. W. (2016). Unfulfilled Expectations: Influence of Chinese International Students’ Roommate Relationships on Sense of Belonging. Journal of International Students, 6(3), 762–778. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v6i3.355 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v6i3.355

Ying, T., & Wenjing, Q. (2023). Understanding the Sino-foreign Cooperative Education in China: A Bibliometric Approach. International Journal of Educational Reform, International journal of educational reform, 2023-08. https://doi.org/10.1177/10567879231193344 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10567879231193344

Zhan, Z. L., & Zheng, Y. R. (2022). Review and Improvement of the Withdrawal Mechanism of Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Education. Journal of Shaanxi Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 51(4), 88–102. https://doi.org/10.15983/j.cnki.sxss.2022.0708

Zhang, W. (2017). Analysis of mental health work for students in Sino-foreign cooperative education programs. Knowledge Economy, (10), 131–132. https://doi.org/10.15880/j.cnki.zsjj.2017.10.072

Zhang, H. Y., Zhu, W. X., & Wang, K. (2016). Research on the Success Education of College Students in Sino-Foreign Cooperative Education Programs from the Perspective of Student Management. Chinese Adult Education, (12), 44–47. https://kns.cnki.net/

Zhang, Y., Liu, H. Q., & Shi, Z. Y. (2022). Humanistic attributes of educational input‒output. Journal of Educational Research, 43(8), 121–140. https://link.cnki.net/urlid/11.1281.G4.20220728.1642.002

Zhong, K. (2018). Risk and Avoidance: Research on the Cultural Conflict in Sino-foreign Cooperative Education. Jiangsu Higher Education, (11), 48–50. https://doi.org/10.13236/j.cnki.jshe.2018.11.009

Zhu, Y. Y., & Zhao, J. Q. (2022). The Development Path of the Coordinated Education of Sino-foreign Cooperative Education and Curriculum Ideology and Politics. Journal of Henan Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 49(5), 144–149. https://doi.org/10.16366/j.cnki.1000-2359.2022.05.19

Downloads

Published

2026-02-27

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 7 (2026): Journal of International Students

Section

Special Issue: Institutional Global Footprints and International Enrollment Trends

Categories

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of International Students

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) [year] [author]
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

How to Cite

Luo, P. ., & Zhang, X. (2026). “Disillusioned expectations”: The impact of expectations on university belonging among students in Sino-foreign cooperative education institutions. Journal of International Students, 16(7), 69-90. https://doi.org/10.32674/pjv4qm97

Most read articles by the same author(s)