Author Information
Lei Huang, University of Turin, ItalyIlaria Eloisa Lesmo, University of Turin, Italy
Simona Imazio, Polytechnic of Turin, Italy
Abstract
This study explores the complex motivations that drive Chinese students to pursue education abroad, focusing on the interplay between subjective experiences and broader socio-cultural, political, and economic dynamics. It examines how students seek to escape various pressures in their home environment, including familial rejection of sexual orientation, resistance to parental career expectations, strained social relationships, and other forms of social suffering. Drawing on clinical ethnography and ethnopsychiatry developed within the PASSI@Unito and PASSI@Polito projects—interdisciplinary initiatives at the University of Turin and the Polytechnic of Turin—this research situates students’ migration experiences within the broader context of China–Europe relations. By analyzing the multiple dimensions of educational migration, the research reveals how studying abroad becomes a strategy for negotiating subjective crises and envisioning alternative life trajectories. Ultimately, the findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how micro-level struggles are shaped by macro-level forces, offering insights into how universities can better support international students in building self-confidence, fostering meaningful social connections, and clarifying their future aspirations.
Paper Information
Conference: ACP2025Stream: Qualitative/Quantitative Research in any other area of Psychology
This paper is part of the ACP2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Huang L., Lesmo I., & Imazio S. (2025) Beyond Borders: Analyzing the Motivations and Life Planning of Chinese Students Studying Abroad ISSN: 2187-4743 – The Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences 2025 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 207-218) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2187-4743.2025.17
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2187-4743.2025.17
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