Based on the major findings of the study, the research team concluded that despite the relatively short duration of 1-8 weeks staying in Mainland China, the intercultural competence of the participating students increased and they reported more positive attitudes and views toward Mainland China and Chinese people, along with increased identification with the Nation after completing the programmes. Moreover, students with strong internal motivations, proactive learning attitudes, and high openness to new experiences were found to benefit the most from the learning experiences. In addition, having supportive peers, responsible and competent teachers, and high-quality programmes facilitated students’ effective learning.

Professor Daniel SHEK, the leader of the research, said, “The Government has always been supportive of Mainland study programmes that enable young people to gain a better understanding of our country’s development, to learn and broaden their cultural horizons and enhance their sense of belonging. Over the years, PolyU has organised a wide range of Mainland learning programmes with nearly 1,000 students participating each year. However, no systematic evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of the programmes has been conducted in the past, and this study provides an excellent opportunity for us to conduct an in-depth review and make recommendations on policies to enhance the depth and breadth of future programmes.”

Dr Lu YU, who co-led the research with Professor SHEK, added, “It is hoped that the survey will affirm the positive impact of study-in-China programmes on participating students, and the way in which they help enhance young people’s national identity, resulting in a win-win situation for both the Nation and the participants.” She hopes that the study will provide more inspiration for all parties to improve the content and format of short-term study-in-China programmes.

In response to the findings of the study, the research team has made a number of policy recommendations, including integrating relevant programmes into the undergraduate curriculum, allocating extra resources to support the programmes, establishing a resource-sharing platform and providing training for programme leaders, with a view to enhancing the quality and quantity of the programmes in a comprehensive way.

Major Findings of the Study

1)    Students reported higher levels of intercultural competence in terms of both intercultural effectiveness and intercultural communication awareness after completion of the programmes (including cultural exchange, summer school and service learning programmes). The impact was significant for all three types of programme.

2)    Participants showed more positive perceptions about Mainland China and more positive attitudes toward its people after joining the programmes. Both summer term and service learning programmes had a significant and positive impact on students’ development in this area.

3)    The programmes promoted students’ identification with the identity of a Chinese citizen, the perceived importance of the identity of a Chinese citizen and as a member of the Chinese race, as well as the perceived strengths of all four types of identities (as a Hong Kong citizen, a Chinese citizen, a citizen of the PRC, and a member of the Chinese race).

4)    More improvement in intercultural communication awareness was observed in students with prior experiences in joining such programmes and those with higher expectations about the programmes enhancing this developmental outcome.

5)    A higher parental educational level was associated with more positive changes of students’ perceptions about Mainland China, less increase in their self-identification as a Hong Kong citizen, and in their perceived strength and importance of this identity.

6)    Students with no prior experiences in any short-term study-in-China programmes showed more positive changes in their identity as a citizen of the PRC, and their perceived strength and importance of this identity than those who had joined such programmes before.

7)    At the personal level, strong internal motivation, positive and proactive attitudes toward the programmes, and openness to new experiences were identified as critical factors contributing to students’ learning gains from the programmes.

8)    At the programme level, highly motivational peers, responsible and knowledgeable teachers, and high programme quality (with clear objectives, carefully-designed activities and appropriate schedules) were perceived as facilitators to students’ effective learning gains.

Policy recommendations proposed by the research team:

– Further promote short-term study-in-China programmes by allocating extra resources, setting up specific funds, strengthening collaboration with Mainland China and integrating relevant programmes into the undergraduate curriculum. Instead of a mandatory requirement, students should be strongly encouraged to join in a voluntary manner.

– Promote the integration of short-term study-in-China experiences into undergraduate studies and strengthen the service learning element in the undergraduate curriculum.

– Identify and introduce high-quality programmes as examples of best practices and foster information exchange among universities through a common platform.

– Enhance students’ motivation through orientation workshops, student leader schemes and team-building activities.

– Build up the capacity of programme leaders through systematic training and evaluation.

– Build up positive public perceptions of study-in-China programme experience by disseminating publicity materials and creating opportunities for participants to share their experiences to the public.

– Utilise the positive influence of the media to promote Chinese culture to the general public and enhance their direct exposure to Mainland society through service/voluntary opportunities.

– Support long-term research projects to evaluate and document the long-term impact of study-in-China programme experiences.

Acknowledgement:

The research project (Project Number: 2018.A6.113.18C) is funded by the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme from the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The press release PolyU research reveals that short-term study-in-China programmes promote local university students’ intercultural competence and understanding of Mainland China comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Los Angeles, California (December 22, 2011) /Xinwengao.com/ — Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Grammy award-winning artist will.i.am and Americans Promoting Study Abroad (APSA) joined students at Mendez Learning Center on Monday to announce a star-studded concert in Beijing on Dec. 17 to build support for the State Department’s 100,000 Strong Initiative to promote study abroad in China.

Los Angeles is the latest city to throw its support behind 100,000 Strong, a program launched in 2010 to dramatically increase the number of American students studying in China over the next four years. The Beijing concert, through the support of generous corporate sponsors, will help 100,000 Strong raise the money necessary to send U.S. students to China.

“Los Angeles couldn’t be more pleased to partner with 100,000 Strong,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “This program will create life-changing opportunities for our Los Angeles’ young people to travel to a new country, learn about a new culture and meet new friends.”

Will.i.am, the front man for The Black Eyed Peas, will headline the Dec. 17 concert along with several other prominent Chinese and U.S. artists including apl.de.ap, also of The Black Eyed Peas, the Bucky Johnson Band and singer-songwriter John Legend. Legend is a nine-time Grammy award winner.

Will.i.am met with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in July to announce his support for 100,000 Strong. At the meeting, Clinton formally announced that will.i.am would serve as a goodwill ambassador for the program.

“Having come from the Los Angeles area, I know first-hand how important programs like 100,000 Strong can be,” will.i.am said. “The opportunity to study abroad in China would be a dream realized for so many young people who may not otherwise have had the chance to see what else the world has to offer.”

Also joining Mayor Villaraigosa at Monday’s event: Carola McGiffert, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Director of 100,000 Strong, Mendez Engineering and Technology Principal Alex Avila, teachers and students from Mendez high school, Ted Dean, Co-Chairman of APSA and representatives of Cinequest.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said of L.A.’s partnership: “We are thrilled that Mayor Villaraigosa has embraced this very important initiative. The more support we get from our nation’s mayors, the closer we are to sending 100,000 American students to China over the next four years.”

In addition to Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Seattle have agreed to serve as partner cities for 100,000 Strong.

Americans Promoting Study Abroad (APSA) runs full-scholarship programs for U.S. high school students from underserved communities to study in Beijing, focusing on language acquisition, cultural understanding, leadership development and exposure to international careers. It is organizing the December concert with the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation Beijing and with the support of the State Department on 100,000 Strong.

“We are excited to partner with the City of Los Angeles on this important initiative” said APSA’s Ted Dean. “We also are excited to be announcing a new partnership with Cinequest to develop a U.S.-China youth film collaborative program that will deliver even more opportunities for LA public high school students to travel to China and work with their counterparts on creative projects.”

Cinequest, which helps educate young people about technology and movie-making, will partner with APSA to organize collaborative film projects involving L.A. public high school students and Chinese students.

The 100,000 Strong Initiative is a public-private partnership; to date, private corporate and foundation donors have pledged more than $11 million towards the Initiative. The Chinese government has offered 20,000 scholarships for U.S. students. To learn more about the 100,000 Strong Initiative, visit www.state.gov/100Kstrong.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• APSA: Erin Billings
  ebillings@bgrpr.com
  202-285-4528

  State Department: Carola McGiffert
  McGiffertC@state.gov
  202-647-1029

  Mayor Villaraigosa: Rachel Kruer
  rachel.kruer@lacity.org
  213-978-0741
  

The press release L.A. Mayor, Musician Will.i.am Announce Major Beijing Concert To Benefit Study Abroad comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.