“Reasons to Leave” a Project that Investigates and Reveals the Motivations Behind Chinese International Students' Decisions to Study Abroad

As a Chinese international student, I have always wanted to create a project about the Chinese international student community, as there needs to be more resources and discussions surrounding this topic. Through making this MRP project, my goal is to dive deeper into the motivations behind why Chinese students choose to study abroad and recognize that their reasons to leave are often mixed with complex social, cultural, and sometimes personal factors. My project focuses on Chinese international students born in the 1990s, specifically those who have received post-secondary education in Toronto, Canada. This is due to my own experiences living in both China and Canada, as I have heard numerous stories from my fellow Chinese students during my time here and have a unique perspective on the differences between the two cultures. Therefore, I have included myself in the project as this MRP is also about my journey and study abroad experiences. The MRP project consists of two main components: a photography series featuring full-body portraits of my participants and a video containing all the interviews I have conducted with the participants. Through making these visual elements, I hope to provide a more comprehensive and positive representation of the Chinese international student community and bring attention to the diverse range of experiences and motivations that drive students to study abroad.