In the years after Hong Kong's return to China, students from the other side of the boundary came to the SAR in increasing numbers to study, work and to pursue their dreams. In recent years, however, as the distinctions between Hong Kong and the mainland have become smaller, an increasing number of mainland students has opted to return to the mainland rather than to stay in the city. That includes some who have worked here for several years.

According to statistics from the Hong Kong Association of Mainland Graduates (HKAMG), about 13,000 students come to Hong Kong for their tertiary education every year. The figure includes both undergraduates and postgraduates. In total, about 4,000 to 5,000 students find jobs and remain here after they graduate. That is about 40 percent who find work.

Although many students come to Hong Kong with great expectations, the practical reality is not what the students have imagined. Audrey, who got her undergraduate degree from Zhejiang University, came to Hong Kong in 2005 and graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) with a research Master's degree in biology. She finally gave up Hong Kong and returned to the mainland.

Audrey worked in Hong Kong as a research assistant for about a year, then returned to her hometown Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, to take up a position with a biotechnology company.

She admitted that although the salary is about 6,000 yuan a month in Hangzhou, she can cope with everyday life very well and feels much better, more comfortable than she did in Hong Kong. "I don't have to rent an apartment here and can stay with my parents, happily," she added.

When looking back on her days in Hong Kong, she sighed and said, "Life in Hong Kong was more stressful because I needed to work overtime very often. I can understand a little bit of Cantonese, but can't speak it. I felt like an outsider." Besides, she felt under stress because of the high costs, including home rental, transportation, food and other daily expenses.

"I was homesick, with no sense of belonging in Hong Kong. Besides, I will not set up a home there in the future, and so I returned to my hometown without hesitation," she said.

Compared with Audrey, Zhang Ying, who graduated last year with an Master of Arts in Linguistics from CUHK, didn't bother to look for work in Hong Kong. She went back to her hometown directly after graduation. Zhang now works at Wuhan Polytechnic University as an English teacher.

Zhang said she never intended to work in Hong Kong and did not even apply under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) program. The program permits applicants to remain in the city, seeking permanent employment for 12 months after graduation.

Zhang spoke frankly, saying she didn't like to be away from home and can't speak Cantonese, Hong Kong simply presented too much pressure of competition for her liking. "I am very satisfied with my current job, which is very free. Besides I have winter and summer vacation," Zhang said with a smile.

The two graduates epitomize thousands of students who have chosen to return to the mainland after studying or working here. "The universities in Hong Kong enroll more than 8,000 self-financed postgraduates per year, but only about 2,000 stay to work," said Geng Chunya, chairman of HKAMG.

Geng said the numbers of those who choose to remain in Hong Kong are significantly different between undergraduates and postgraduates. Up to 60-70 percent of students graduating with a bachelor's degree may remain. Among graduates with master's degrees or higher, less than 25 percent remain.

Based on statistics from the office of student affairs at CUHK, the employment rate in Hong Kong among the university's mainland postgraduates, that is — those who have chosen to stay — declined about 14 percent from 2010 to 2011. The number returning to the mainland rose 16 percent in 2011 over 2010.

Raymond Leung, director of student affairs from CUHK, said mainland postgraduates meet with more difficulties finding jobs in Hong Kong than their undergraduate counterparts. Undergraduates have been here longer, and can speak fluent Cantonese. They also are more familiar with the circumstance in Hong Kong.

Leung also noted that prospects for mainland economic growth look good, salaries are increasing, while on the other hand the price of commodities and housing in Hong Kong is much higher.

Moreover, many mainland students who have remained after graduation don't plan to stay here for long. About 50 percent of people stay here after they finish their studies and 20-30 percent remain for a second or third year. But by the eighth year, only 20 percent remain, according to statistics from HKAMG.

Simon Zhao, director of the International Center for China Development Studies at the University of Hong Kong, explained the reason behind the more evident back-flow. The working opportunities in Hong Kong are limited. Businesses that operate here are heavily focused on finance and the legal profession. Salaries in other sectors may be low while the working pressure is high. Mainland students have a tough time learning to adapt to local culture, and have little sense of belonging.

"However, when they return to their hometown, their situation could be very different. They are regarded with special respect and valued in their work for they are elites in the society, and their parents may give them help making use of their backgrounds and relations," said Zhao.

Zhao added that students' prospects for attractive opportunities on the mainland are higher, life is more comfortable and the salary is fine.

Certainly, emotional factors are important. Geng said another reason that graduates return to the mainland is because finding a spouse in Hong Kong is difficult for both men and women.