Putting Down Roots or Homing Instinct?

Exploring Multidimensional Motivations in the Employment Decisions of Returnee Overseas Students

Abstract

Amid the rising "returnee wave" and the notable "homing effect," the employment decisions of overseas students reveal considerable diversity and unpredictability. Current research often emphasizes macro-level factors like policies and economic push-pull dynamics, while paying less attention to the micro-level psychological mechanisms shaped by overseas experiences and the interplay of diverse motivations. This study focuses on regular overseas students as its primary subjects, using a questionnaire survey to systematically identify and categorize the multidimensional factors influencing their decision to return home for employment. Findings indicate a significant "homing effect," with 67.78% of respondents leaning toward or firmly choosing to return. At the same time, the phenomenon of "failure to put down roots" abroad is prominent, where cultural barriers, difficulties in social integration, and visa obstacles serve as strong passive push factors. This study constructs a multidimensional framework integrating both "emotional pull" and "passive push" forces, revealing the "homing" decision as a complex trade-off. It offers an empirical basis for policy optimization and individual decision-making.