Has excess epidemic prevention changed Chinese students' willingness to study abroad: three rounds of the same volume survey based on the new "push-pull" theory

This study investigates how China's stringent COVID-19 prevention measures affected Chinese students' willingness to study abroad. Using a new "push-pull" theoretical framework, three rounds of surveys (2020, 2021, 2022) were conducted among 12,248 students from over 270 universities. The results reveal that COVID-19 significantly altered the push and pull factors influencing study abroad decisions. Initially, the willingness to study abroad decreased drastically due to safety concerns and government policies. However, as public acceptance of the pandemic grew, a rebound in willingness was observed, particularly in the later stages. The study provides a refined push-pull framework incorporating COVID-19 related factors and offers insights into the changing patterns of global talent mobility.

Songyue Lin, Jin Liu