Geographical Imaginations and Migration Intentions: a case study of Chinese graduate students in the Netherlands
Summary
To face with the future shortage of highly-skilled workers and to promote economic development especially in knowledge industry, it is important to retain well-educated international students whose abilities and skills are scarce in the job market of the Netherlands. Chinese graduate students, as the second largest foreign population in Dutch educational system, should be one of the focuses. This research paper uses qualitative methods (surveys and interviews) to collect first-hand data from 24 respondents. It is about Chinese graduate students’ migration intentions in terms of staying in the Netherlands, returning to China, or moving to other countries, by using an extended TPB model with dimensions of geographical imaginations included. Another purpose of this paper is to provide insights into how the abstract concept of geographical imaginations could shape and also be shaped by both migration history and migration intentions. Furthermore, results would provide academic evidence for Dutch immigration governmental sectors to formulate more effective policies towards international students, and if necessary, towards specific ethnic groups.