Equity and social cohesion in higher education: studying the impact of the expectation effet and the awareness of difference through the case of chinese students in the University of Lyon

Abstract

This article puts forward a study about the issues of social cohesion and equity through the example of the Chinese students' integration in the University of Lyon. Exposed to very different cultural and linguistic codes, both French teachers and Chinese students seem to be faced with a mutual destabilization which leads to different types of strategies and misinterpretations likely to confirm existing stereotypes and create new ones. This can cause a cultural shock which can even lead to a refusal of receiving Chinese students. This question, very relevant today, shows the difficulties to guarantee the equity and social cohesion in higher education. The aim of this reflection is to contribute to a better comprehension of this issue by the analysis of several empirical situations. We postulate that raising the awareness of university teachers regarding intercultural matters can be useful for their professional practice since it could enhance the integration of the Chinese students in France.