Education
Departing, attending, returning: a trilogy of change in overseas study
By Eric Jou (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-10 09:42
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Overseas
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Li Yue'an laughs as a friend steals a shot outside the Rockefeller Center in her freshman year. [China Daily] |
A senior at the University of Connecticut, Li has been in the United States for four years and is living the dream that many of her fellow Chinese students want; except to her, the grass isn't all that much greener.
"There are many problems waiting for Chinese students. They join cliques of other Chinese and only take classes they know they will do good in," said Li.
"Many will take math- or science-related classes in which they don't have to use a lot of English, so when they return back to China, their English level is pretty much the same as when they left."
This type of self-imposed segregation is most common in rural universities.
Where the Chinese choose to build their sacred halls of academia in urbanized city locations, many universities in America are secluded in the countryside, often hours away from the nearest metropolis. As a result, transportation is usually an issue in American college towns.
"Everyone pictures America to be like Hong Kong with huge skyscrapers, as developed as New York or San Francisco," said Li.
"But it's not. There is a lot of countryside and you can't really do much without a car."
Ultimately, Li hopes that her stay in America will benefit her future - be it in Beijing or America.
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Graduate Zhao Yue says his time spent at the University of Westminster is worth the money. [China Daily] |
While the trials of a Western education can sometimes be long and arduous, the rewards outshine the cost.
Many Chinese, who travel and study abroad, often want to stay in America. However, as China continues to grow, the vast majority are appearing far more excited about coming back to their home country.
Zhao Yue, 27, has returned back to Beijing after years abroad in the University of Westminster in London. He believes the experience abroad was worth it.
"I think the schools are better and the education is at a significantly higher level than in Beijing and across China," Zhao said.
Growing up in Beijing, Zhao traveled to England at his earliest opportunity. He finished his undergraduate degree in Beijing and then moved onto the University of Westminster to gain a graduate degree.
Though he spent a year preparing for his academic endeavour, Zhao said he wasn't sufficiently prepared for England.
"It was definitely worth it," said Zhao, who now works for a State-owned company in Beijing.
"It helped me prepare for my language intensive job; I am always traveling from place to place to meet clients."
To Zhao, all that matters if whether or not the investment - financial and metaphorical - is truly worth it.
"A lot of students will be overwhelmed and tend to gravitate towards other Chinese, but it's all about the effort they put into it," Zhao said.
