The article is to be published in Youth Exploration and is currently available online first.

Author: Xiaoxin DU (Assistant Researcher, Fudan Development Institute)

Abstract: In recent years, the trend of overseas students returning to China for employment has become increasingly prominent, making them a vital talent resource for promoting national modernization. Consequently, how to attract overseas educated youth to return and serve the country through policy measures has become a critical issue. This study focuses on the factors influencing the return decisions of overseas educated youth. It finds that when articulating their choices to return, these youths attempt to strike a balance between individual development and collective development. While they demonstrate certain ideals and convictions grounded in collectivism, their understanding of the concept and hierarchy of the collective remains to be expanded. regarding participation in public affairs, this group exhibits greater diversity overall, showing a tendency to integrate such participation with their academic majors and professional industries. Based on an analysis of the interactive evolution of individualistic and collectivistic values among overseas educated youth, this paper proposes that future talent attraction policies should fully recognize and understand the ideological shifts within this group. It is recommended to formulate policy measures that accommodate both individual and collective development, attach importance to diverse types of overseas educated youth, and create a positive nurturing environment that facilitates their growth, thereby providing sustainable talent momentum for national development.

Translated by Yicheng SU

Full text in Chinese available at:

https://fddi.fudan.edu.cn/85/37/c19046a754999/page.htm