“Staying or Returning?”: Perceptions of Career Opportunities Among Chinese International Students in South Korea = 남을 것인가, 돌아갈 것인가? 한국 내 중국인 유학생의 진로 기회에 대한 인식

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study explores the study abroad experiences and post-graduation career choices of Chinese students in South Korea within the broader context of cross-cultural exchange and international educational migration. Drawing primarily on interview data, the research examines how cultural adaptation, language proficiency, academic background, and social networks shape students’ career decisions—whether to stay in Korea, return to China, or move to a third country. The findings reveal that while cultural proximity and affordable education make Korea an attractive destination, structural barriers such as visa restrictions, degree recognition, and labor market limitations continue to challenge international students’ long-term development. The study contributes to understanding the complex interplay between globalization, individual agency, and structural constraints in shaping the career trajectories and identity formation of Chinese students in non-English-speaking contexts. Policy recommendations are proposed to enhance international students’ employability, integration, and cross-cultural exchange between China and South Korea.

국문 초록 (Abstract)

본 연구 는 한·중 간 교차 문화 교류 의 맥락 에서 한국 유학 을 경험한중국유학생들 의 학업 경험 과 졸업 후 진로 선택 과정 을 분석 하였다 . 본 연구는반구조화된 인터 뷰와 설문 조사를 병행 한 혼합 연구방 법(mixed-methods approach)을통해, 유학생 들의 문화 적 적응 , 언어 능력 , 학업 배경 , 사회 적 네트 워크가진로결정에어떠 한 영향 을 미치 는지를 탐색 하였다 . 연구 결과 , 한국 은 지리 적·문화 적 근접 성과 비교 적 저렴 한 학비로인해매력적인 유학 지로 평가 되지만, 비자 제약 , 학위 인정 한계 , 노동 시장 진입의어려움등 구조 적 제약 이 여전 히 존재 함을 확인 하였다. 그럼 에도 불구 하고일부학생들은 한국 에서의 경험 을 통해 문화 간 역량 과 국제 적 정체 성을 형성하며, 이를향후 경력 개발 의 자산 으로 활용 하고 있다. 본 연구 는 중국 유학 생들의 진로 결정 과정 을 글로 벌화 , 개인 의행위주체성, 구조적 제약 이라는 세 가지 축에 서 분석 함으로 써, 비영 어권 국가 에서의교육이주와 경력 형성 의 복합 적 상호 작용을 이해 하는 데 기여 한다. 또한한국정부와대학이 유학 생의 고용 가능 성과 사회 통합을 제고 하기 위한 정책 적함의를제시하였다.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• I.Introduction １
• 1.1 Research Backgound １
• 1.2 Research Objectives and Research Questions ８
• 1.2.1 Research Objectives ８
• 1.2.2 Research Questions ８
• 1.3 Significance of the Study ９
• 1.4 Overview of Research Methods １０
• 1.5 Overview of the Thesis Structure １３
• II.Theoretical Framework and Literature Review １６
• 2.1 Literature on International Student Migration １６
• 2.1.1 History of Chinese Students Studying Abroad １９
• 2.1.2 Major Motivations for Chinese Students to Study Abroad ２３
• 2.1.3 The Influence of Family Factors and Social Networks (Peer Relationships) on Study Abroad and Destination Choices ３０
• 2.2 Theories of Career Choice among Chinese Students in Korea ３４
• 2.3 Summary ３６
• III.Background and Context of Chinese Students in Korea ３８
• 3.1 Overview of the Environment and Context of Studying in Korea ３８
• 3.1.1 Overview of Korea: Educational System and Social Environment ３８
• 3.1.2 Number, Background, and Trends of International Students in Korea ４２
• 3.1.3 Korea in the Global Education Market: Reputation, System, and Degree Recognition ５０
• 3.1.4 Korean Labor Market and Visa Policies ５５
• 3.1.5 Conclusion ６０
• 3.2 Overview of Chinese Students in Korea ６１
• 3.2.1 Population, Background, and Trends of Chinese Students in Korea ６１
• 3.3 Chinese Society’s Perceptions of Overseas Study and Korean Degrees ７１
• 3.3.1 “Even Seoul National University is Just a Korean University”: Limits of Degree Recognition ７１
• 3.3.2 Discussion on Korea’s Position at the Bottom of the Study Abroad “Hierarchy” ９０
• 3.3.3 The “Water Master” Phenomenon and the Debate on Degree Quality ９４
• IV. Career Pathways of Chinese Students in Korea After Graduation ９７
• 4.1 Post-Graduation Career Pathways and Destination Choices of Chinese Students in South Korea ９７
• 4.2 Major Post-Graduation Destinations and Their Formation Mechanisms １０５
• 4.2.1 Employment in China: A Stability-Oriented Choice １０５
• 4.2.2 Employment in South Korea: Selective Retention under Institutional and Linguistic Advantages １０９
• 4.2.3 Moving to a Third Country or Pursuing Further Education: Alternative Career Pathways １１２
• 4.3 The Dilemma of Transition: Structural Stagnation under the Job-Seeking Visa １１４
• 4.4 Notable Phenomena and Observations １１９
• 4.4.1 Low Recognition of Korean Degrees in Chinese Society １１９
• 4.4.2 Job Market Competition and Psychological Gaps １２０
• 4.4.3 Identity and Sense of Belonging １２１
• V.Conclusion １２２
• 5.1 Major Research Findings １２２
• 5.2 Theoretical and Policy Implications １２４
• 5.3 Research Limitations and Future Directions １２６
• Bibliography １３０
• Abstract (Korean) １３７