Internationalising Higher Education

Since 2004, the UK has become one of the most popular countries for Chinese students to study. After graduation, some Chinese graduates transfer from international student to highly skilled professional in the British labour market. We know that Chinese students encounter various cultural challenges due to language barriers and other culture differences upon arrival in the UK, however little is known about their acculturation experience and, in particular, their work experience. This poster will discuss research investigating Chinese knowledge workers' acculturation and career development in Leeds, UK. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2009. All interviewees were Chinese professionals who are in their full-time employment in Leeds with occupations including solicitor, engineer, accountants and academics. Significant findings include the impact of high family expectation to their choice of professions perceived as high social status and the tendency to study degrees leading to employability in certain professions such as accounting. This poster will discuss the research and the rest of its findings.