The Impact of One-Year UK Master’s Programme on the Identity of Chinese International Students: A Case Study Based on Xiaohongshu
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64744/tjiss.2025.28Keywords:
Master’s Programme, Identity negotiation, Chinese international student, Global education, XiaohongshuAbstract
UK one-year master's programs offer a fast track to graduate degrees for Chinese international students. However, their market-driven, competitive nature and impact on identity formation are often overlooked. This study, using Norton's (2013) Investment and Identity theory and network ethnography on Xiaohongshu, explores identity negotiation among this student group. Results reveal identity formation as a contextualized, complex process involving pragmatic trade-offs amidst pressures from intensive coursework, compressed timeframes, high financial investments, and career anxieties. The absence of supportive structures may hinder deep integration, exacerbate vulnerability, and impact future employment. This study aims to enhance learners' navigation of high-pressure global environments and provide a proper perspective on contemporary international students in global education.
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