Why Study in China

In 2009, more than 240,000 students from over 180 countries came to China to study for both degree and non-degree programs.

China is in the midst of an educational revolution. The government is spending more resources than ever before to make China's universities internationally competitive. In the past, overseas students generally chose from a limited range of subjects, mostly focusing on Chinese language and subjects like painting and martial arts. Today more and more international students choose more advanced subjects, ranging from modern dance and literature to engineering, computer science and international business.

Here are six reasons to join them.

1.World-class Institutions

The government is in the process of growing a number of China's key universities into world-class centers of education and research. Institutions like Tsinghua University, Fudan University and Peking University are climbing to the top of global educational standards.

These universities seek to attract the best international and domestic talent in instructors, researchers and students. Some of these universities have attracted brilliant faculty from institutions like Harvard, Yale and more. Facilities are state-of-the-art and educational methodology is modern and innovative.

Programs at these key universities can be very competitive, but offer excellent instruction comparable to a first-class institute anywhere in the world.

2. Travel and Exploration, Experiencing the Culture Firsthand
 
Though it may surprise many, Chinese culture and people are extremely diverse and multicultural, consisting of 56 different ethnicities. For example, in Lijiang, in the southern province of Yunnan, twelve different minorities have dwelled together in social harmony for thousands of years, practicing an array of religions spanning from Chinese Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam, to many lesser known ones like Tibetan Buddhism and Bimo Religion of Baiyi.

Compare that to completely different Inner Mongolia, where drinking Chinese rice wine is practically mandatory when entering the homes of locals, and whole lambs are eaten in one meal.

What’s more, the Silk Route, ancient dynasty temples, Tiananmen Square, traditional theatre, and world-renowned cuisine are just some of the reasons that make China a historically fascinating and socially engaging study abroad destination.

China’s 6,000 year-old civilization is one of the oldest in the world. In China, you will have the chance to learn about history first-hand as you explore such famous and breath-taking sites as the Great Wall, the Forbidden Palace, and X’ian’s underground army of terra cotta soldiers. Students of history, architecture, religion, and archeology will find that China possess a wealth of artifacts to study and explore.

Following rapid economic development over the last 30 years, Chinese cities now boast eye-catching works of modern architecture - from the towering skyscrapers of Shanghai to Beijing’s Olympic Bird’s Nest - in addition to impressive ancient structures like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. China’s 5000 years of history has bequeathed a seemingly endless amount of tourist attractions to visit, while natural wonders of breathtaking beauty are also scattered about the country. Perhaps less well known, but equally unmissable for international students, is China’s unique nightlife made up of private karaoke rooms and extravagant mega-clubs.

You'll run into unique customs as you travel to different parts of China, but everyday life, believe it or not, will be just as new and fulfilling. Living and interacting with local Chinese and immersing yourself in Chinese society will provide you with a new way of visualizing the world and giving you the kind of insight that just doesn't come from textbooks.

3. It's Affordable

Studying and living in China is cheaper than studying and living in European countries. For example, for non-EU citizens the tuition fee for studying at a UK university is at least 7000 pounds (about 10,000 U.S. dollars) annually. The cost of living can even reach up to 13,000 pounds. Meanwhile, the United States and Australia have the world's most expensive tuition fees.

Even in other parts of Asia studying is not cheap. Japan boasts high living expenses soaring up to 1800 dollars a month, while South Korea is one of the world's five most expensive countries for foreign residents.

However, in China, the tuition fees per semester are generally no more than 1000 U.S. dollars, a number of short-term language courses cost just a few hundred dollars. Food and consumption in China are as affordable as it gets. A good pair of jeans sells for 10-20 U.S. dollars, the bus fare only 15 cents, and a subway ticket in Beijing only 30 cents. All in all, everything is more than affordable in China; it's cheap!

4. Employment advantage

Students interested in business, economics, commerce, and international trade will greatly benefit from learning Chinese because China is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Due the quantity of untapped markets in China, the business world deems Chinese to be the language of the future. There is currently a real need for Westerns who speak Chinese; not only can they assist numerous U.S. companies already established in China, but they can also assist Chinese tourists, students, and business people who are coming to the United States in increasing numbers.

The world's top 500 companies all do business in China, with many choosing to base their Asia-Pacific headquarters in the bustling Chinese cities of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.

The current rise of China has made it very clear that people who can speak Chinese and have firsthand experience of living in China are going to have a great advantage in terms of employment. China serves as a huge market for multinational corporations, and employers are well aware that a real understanding of China, Chinese culture and Chinese people is a big plus for those who want to become the world's next generation of leaders.

5. Quality of education and international recognition

China is striving to build more world-class universities, and investing heavily in higher education. Aside from China's unique Chinese language, calligraphy, martial arts and other cultural subjects, Chinese degree programs in majors such as engineering, science, medicine, economics and trade, MBA as well as finance are highly revered. As for those who don't know any Chinese, many universities offer degree programs taught in English, so you can earn your degree while learning the most widely spoken language in the world.

The academic qualifications awarded by Chinese universities are recognized by most developed countries. The Chinese government has signed an agreement on mutual recognition of academic qualifications with a number of countries including the United States, Britain, France, Japan and 65 other countries and regions.

Related Articles

Director-General of UNESCO visited Zhejiang University

New institute to improve China's communication abroad

Budget airlines launches Beijing route

Velvet bird of old Beijing