China’s economic boom has opened new opportunities for middle-class families to send their children overseas for study. The country is now the third largest student destination in the world, behind the United States and the United Kingdom.
In the past 10 years, the number of international students seeking higher education in China increased by 13 percent. More than 801,000 Chinese students pursued tertiary education abroad in 2016, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Most international students enrolled in courses of at least six months. These programs cost under $8000 a year for tuition and living expenses. There are also short-term programs lasting for less than six months.
Students from neighboring countries like Russia, South Korea, Thailand, and Pakistan account for 50 percent of all international students in China. During the 2014-2015 academic year, the subjects most sought after by outbound Chinese students were math and computer science.
The Chinese government’s efforts to attract foreign students continue to grow. It has announced a new policy for international students, which permits them to work in China. This policy has been welcomed by members of the business community.
One of the major questions that has puzzled students is when they can return to China. The Chinese government has not announced a clear timeline for allowing them back. However, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that China welcomes the return of international students.
International students also report that they are confronted with a culture that focuses on cross-border identities. As a result, they are tempted to think beyond the box of differentialism.