Between Ideals and Realities: Investigating Perspectives of Chinese Postgraduate Researchers with Experience and Expertise in Higher Education Internationalization

This study examines the perspectives and experiences of mainland Chinese postgraduate researchers regarding the internationalization of higher education in China. Using a partial ethnographic case study methodology, the research explores the situation at two case universities in China through interviews and observations. The findings highlight a macro-level shift from a neoliberal approach to an arrangement dominated by nationalist narratives and grand strategies, reflecting the complex interplay of domestic politics and geopolitical dynamics. This transformation raises concerns about the authenticity of internationalization efforts, described by participants as ‘fake internationalization’, due to a perceived lack of real global integration and reciprocal international interactions. Despite these challenges, the study reveals a cautious optimism among participants, who suggest that future internationalization could be sustained through regional collaborations and a reinvigorated focus on meaningful academic exchange and knowledge production.