Challenges and Social Supports of Chinese Parachute Kids in a Canadian Secondary School: A Case Study
Abstract
This study investigates the experiences of Chinese parachute kids: secondary school international students who ‘parachuted’ to Canada without parental accompaniment, with a focus on the relationships between their faced challenges, social supports, and well-being. The researcher applied a qualitative case study by conducting face-to-face interviews with eight participants, aimed to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences through analyzing their narratives under the concept of Bourdieu’s capital theory. Compared to existing studies, the results indicate similar challenges faced by Chinese parachute kids. However, those who had participated in a higher standard ‘study abroad’ program enjoyed a higher degree of social support from peers and their school institutions compared to those that did not. Moreover, individual’s language skills, cultural competency, as well as social connection with peers and school were found to be positively related to their personal well-being. In the final section, suggestions for improving secondary school study-abroad programs are provided.