Increase In Chinese Students in United States
The number of Chinese undergraduate students studying abroad in the United States has increased from 8,299 students in 2005 to 26,275 in 2009, a dramatic and significant increase. There has always been a high number of graduate students from Asia studying the United States, perpetuating the stereotype of studying engineering, medicine, or other topics in the math and sciences. But now, there is a growing number of undergraduate students from China coming to the United States to earn a much more well-rounded world-class education. It is not that there aren't enough good schools in China (there are!) but because of the growing Chinese middle class, more families find themselves with the money to send their child to receive an education in the United States.
More and more American universities are opening up offices to do a 1+2+1 program for Chinese students. With American universities partnering with Chinese universities, Chinese students can start their undergraduate studies in China, come to the United States for their middle two years of college, and then finish and graduate in China their last year of undergrad. This not only allows the Chinese student an opportunity to spend two years in the U.S. to become encultured into American society to learn and grow and improve English skills, but also gives American students the opportunity to grow and meet Chinese students.
For American students, China remains in the top ten study abroad destinations but still falls behind the UK, an English-speaking country. Should students study abroad in a country whose native language is not English? How do we encourage students to study in a non-English speaking country? 6 of the top ten are European countries. How do we get students to branch out and study in a less-developed country or country the United States does not have as good of relations with, something different than Europe?
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Posted Thursday, August 26, 2010