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A Qualitative Exploration on the Challenges of Transfer Students in an Asian Educational Context

Author

Listed:
  • Shirley Siu Yin Ching

    (School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Kin Yuen Tam

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Lillian Weiwei Zhang

    (School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Jeremy Ng

    (School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Kin Cheung

    (School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Limited research has been conducted on community college (CC) transfer students’ (TS) experiences in four-year universities, particularly in Asian contexts. To fill this research gap, in this qualitative study, 124 TS from various disciplines in a Hong Kong university participated in 39 focus groups and seven individual interviews. Unlike their Western counterparts, our TS were relatively better prepared and more academically adaptive. Nevertheless, their social integration was restricted by a lack of time for extra-curricular activities, a sense of inferiority and incompetence, and restricted social circles that did not enable interaction with non-TS. These challenges and their implications are discussed. In particular, this study has highlighted differences between the special education systems for CC transfer in Hong Kong and those in Western CC models. The study has also highlighted the study-induced stress, and poor self-perceptions that TS experience, despite their academic abilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Shirley Siu Yin Ching & Kin Yuen Tam & Lillian Weiwei Zhang & Jeremy Ng & Kin Cheung, 2021. "A Qualitative Exploration on the Challenges of Transfer Students in an Asian Educational Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3238-:d:521232
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lovenoor Aulck & Jevin West, 2017. "Attrition and performance of community college transfers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(4), pages 1-23, April.
    2. Kin Cheung & Jeremy Ng & Hilda Tsang & Kelvin K. L. Pang & C. L. Johnny Wan & Kristin Moser, 2020. "Factors Affecting Direct and Transfer Entrants’ Active Coping and Satisfaction with the University," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-16, April.
    3. Kin Cheung & Tsz Leung Yip & C L Johnny Wan & Hilda Tsang & Lillian Weiwei Zhang & Anna Parpala, 2020. "Differences in study workload stress and its associated factors between transfer students and freshmen entrants in an Asian higher education context," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(5), pages 1-23, May.
    4. Di Xu & Shanna Smith Jaggars & Jeffrey Fletcher & John E. Fink, 2018. "Are Community College Transfer Students “a Good Bet” for 4-Year Admissions? Comparing Academic and Labor-Market Outcomes Between Transfer and Native 4-Year College Students," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 89(4), pages 478-502, July.
    5. Barbara F. Tobolowsky & Bradley E. Cox, 2012. "Rationalizing Neglect: An Institutional Response to Transfer Students," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 83(3), pages 389-410, May.
    6. Shirley Siu Yin Ching & Dennis Foung & Lillian Weiwei Zhang & Gwendoline Yuanyuan Guan & Kin Cheung, 2020. "Perceptions of the English Use of College Transfer Nursing Students in a Non-English Speaking City: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-12, January.
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