Transborder habitus transformation: In-country mobility of Hong Kong students in the Chinese Mainland universities

Abstract

Under the context of the in-country mobility of Hong Kong students studying at Chinese Mainland universities, this paper proposes the notion of ‘transborder habitus’ to understand Hong Kong students' experiences and perceptions. Through qualitative research with in-depth interviews with 51 Hong Kong students studying in major cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen, how these students move across the socio-cultural and academic fields at specific times is dissected. The process of how they perceive and adapt to their new life and identities on the mainland campuses is scrutinised. Students exhibited three types of adjustment styles: the Adjusters with pre-adapted habitus, the Strangers with cleft habitus and the Outsiders with mis-matched habitus. Their coping strategies are discussed and the salient factors shaping the students' transborder habitus are analysed.