Cross-border Experiences and Perceptions of Mainland Chinese University Students in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

香港與澳門的教育系統被中國視為歐洲的傳承並受到高度的重視，尤其是對在中國的新城市菁英而言。 隨著英語教育的需求增加，香港與澳門的大學在中國大陸學生招生方面歷經快速的成長，中國學生在特別行政區域（SARs）的社會中占有愈來愈大的存在比例。台灣在2011年開始開放陸生來台後，也成中國學生留學的新興目的地。此份研究主要分析中國大陸之學生在抵達香港、澳門與台灣前後對移入地的觀點，定義中國菁英學生在這些移入社會的新人口群體，並討論此新群體對其留學目的地與及中國所具有的社會意涵。 本研究透過質性研究方法與資料，發現選擇就讀於特別行政區域(SARs)的中國大陸學生，是因為地緣位置接近、文化、語言相同性及相對的教育價值等因素。這些中國學生也被視為特別行政區域(SARs)及海外的潛在移民者。本研究亦透過問卷訪問在台灣就讀的陸生，這些在台陸生仍是相對未被深入研究的人口群體。此份研究成果適合用於教育學、移民學以及社會學，亦對兩岸學術研究者具有重要的參考價值。Hong Kong and Macau's education systems are perceived to be part of their European legacy which is highly regarded in mainland China, especially among China's new urban elite. Along with a consistent increase in demand for an English education, universities in Hong Kong and Macau are henceforth experiencing rapid growth in enrollment of students from mainland China, who are ever more present in the Special Administrative Regions' (SARs) societies. Moreover, mainland Chinese students studying in Taiwanese universities just recently commenced in 2011 and it is a policy in its infancy. This study aims to analyze mainland Chinese students' perception of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan before and after arriving, define a new demographic of elite mainland Chinese students in these three regions, and draw potential social implications these students have for their respective host societies and Chinese society. This study used qualitative research methods and data to confirm that mainland students who chose to study in the SARs because of closer location, cultural and linguistic familiarity and relative value of education. They were also considered potential immigrants to the SARs and abroad. This study provides insight using primary source data on mainland students in Taiwan, which remains a relatively un-researched demographic. This study is applicable to disciplines such as education studies, immigration, and sociology. Information from this study may also be of interest to those who study cross-strait studies, as mainland Chinese students studying in Taiwanese universities just recently commenced in 2011 and it is a policy in its infancy. Hence, this may have implications for future cross-strait policy changes