China as a Destination for International Students: A “Pull and Repel” Factors Analysis in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Abstract

International student mobility is a complex phenomenon influenced by numerous factors. This study examines the prospect of China as a destination country for international students in the post-COVID-19 era. With qualitative data from 30 frontline international educators (support staff in international student recruitment and services) from 30 Chinese universities, this study has determined a set of “pull” factors that serve to attract international students to study in China and a set of “repel” factors that discourage students from going. On the basis of both the “pull” and “repel” factors identified, the participants anticipate important challenges for China’s international enrollment in the short term, but stay optimistic about the long-term prospect. The “pull and repel” factors analysis is found to be a useful approach to examining the attractiveness of a host country to international students in a focused manner.