More Chinese Students for the US

The number of Chinese students studying in the United States is expected to grow over the next few years as the US government seeks to increase student exchanges with China. Chinese students express their opinions on the Internet.

Beijing, China (BLUE OCEAN NETWORK) November 16, 2009. Over 80,000 Chinese students are currently enrolled in higher education in the United States, and this number is likely to increase, as the US government announces its will to make it easier for students to China to come and get education in American colleges.

Most Chinese students believe studying abroad in an English-speaking country, especially the US, which by many is still considered to be the most powerful country in the world, is an exciting opportunity. However, going to the US to study is more difficult than it may seem: the US student visa is considered extremely difficult to get, there aren’t many scholarships - and those there are, tend to be extremely competitive. But this situation may change, as just days before US President Barack Obama arrives on his first official visit to China, American ambassador Jon Huntsman said the US government will take measures to make it easier for Chinese students to get education in the US. He said, that "was intended to foster mutual understanding between the younger generations of both countries" and mentioned that this issue would be one that the president would highlight during his trip.

This topic has triggered plenty of online discussion amongst the students. That's why most college students are happy to hear that the Obama administration is intending to give more opportunities for them to study in America. Many genuinely feel that increasing the number of Chinese students in the US will help to boost interaction between the young people of the two countries and, thus, help develop mutual trust between the nations.
 
However, some of the Chinese students are concerned that the increasing number of Chinese people studying in the United States may also reduce the "exclusivity factor" of a US qualification in China. There are also those who worry that the new measures will have a negative impact on the general quality of teaching to the foreign students in the US. Finally, some doubt the purpose of increasing the flow of Chinese students to the US. They say that as China's economy develops, more and more Chinese parents are able to afford a US education for their children; they believe the US sees this as a huge potential market for its colleges and hopes to take advantage of it. Moreover, they warn that if much of China's outstanding talent flocks to the US - and stays there after graduation – it will be a massive loss for China.