A study on the international mobility process of Chinese students studying in Japan --Based on Bourdieu's “Practice Theory”--

Abstract

Using Bourdieu's “Practice Theory” as a research framework, this article examines the international mobility process of Chinese students studying in Japan. The study found that the group's international mobility is influenced by both "time" and "space". In the time dimension, international students are affected by the hysteresis effect of "habitus" in the early stage after arriving in Japan and returning to China after graduation and the result of this influence on them is often negative. It is reflected in daily necessities and interpersonal interactions. However, with the passage of time, the habitus of international students will undergo slow diachronic changes based on the new environment. During this period, the native and second habitus may clash violently with each other, or they may merge after adjustment. As a result, it is more likely for international students to return to China when the "native habitus" is maintained, and more likely to stay in Japan when it is overwritten by the "second habitus". In addition, the habitus of some international students merge in the process of international mobility, and it is easier for them to adapt to life in both countries at the same time. In the spatial dimension, international students experience the transitions of multiple fields in the process of international mobility, which is manifested not only in the movement between countries, but also in the field of life, education and work. Importantly, along with the spatial transitions, the value of the capital held by international students will also change accordingly. The economic capital of international students may have a low value in the fields of Japan. The cultural capital is more valuable in the work field of China. And the social capital has a high value in various fields of Japan. In addition, in order to attain a better position in the field, international students can actively use strategies after making a comprehensive judgment of their own capital and the characteristics of multiple fields: presenting favorable capital, concealing unfavorable capital, exchange of capital, selection of field.