Yixuan Liu

This qualitative study analyzes two prestigious China-based international scholarship programs, the Committee on Scholarly Communication with the People’s Republic of China (CSCPRC) and Schwarzman Scholars, and their interactions with host campuses through the programrelated policies and space. Data came from twelve one-hour-long interviews with four CSCPRC fellows and six Schwarzman fellows regarding reflections and understandings of how program policies shaped their experiences. Findings show that even though fellows gained access to a myriad of resources through the program, they had limited interactions with the rest of the campus. Participants suggested perceived tensions between programs and campus students, which alienated the program from the host community and generated misunderstandings for both sides. Institutions should pay attention to programs’ unique positionality on campuses and in societies and their potential to strengthen political influence. This study provides references for future international programs in higher education to have inclusive policies and interactive initiatives.

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