WASHINGTON (AP) — Two young women from Shanghai who were considering studying abroad have opted out of choosing the United States, a traditional destination that may be losing its appeal.
Helen Dong, a 22-year-old senior majoring in advertising, cited the high cost as the primary reason for her decision. “It’s not feasible for me to invest 2 million yuan ($278,000) and not secure a job upon my return,” she explained. Dong has instead decided to pursue her studies in Hong Kong this coming fall.
On the other hand, Yvonne Wong, 24, who is currently pursuing comparative literature and cultures in a master’s program at the University of Bristol in Britain, expressed concerns about safety. “Families in Shanghai are generally reluctant to send their daughters to a place where firearms are not prohibited — that was the main factor,” Wong stated. “Between the U.S. and the U.K., the U.K. is perceived as safer, which is the primary consideration for my parents.”
While there is a resurgence of interest in studying abroad following the pandemic, indications suggest that the longstanding trend of sending an estimated 3 million Chinese students to the U.S., including many top talents, may be on the decline due to evolving geopolitical dynamics reshaping U.S.-China relations.
The reduction in people-to-people exchanges could have enduring implications for the relationship between the two nations.
Fanta Aw, the executive director of the NAFSA Association of International Educators in Washington, emphasized the importance of international education as a bridge for fostering future leaders in various fields. She noted the significance of nurturing the current generation of students who will shape the future landscape of engineering, politics, and business.
The decline in interest is particularly noticeable in U.S. undergraduate programs, which Aw attributed to a decrease in China’s population due to low birth rates, increased educational options within the region, and the exorbitant costs associated with pursuing an education in the U.S.
Even graduate programs have not been immune to this trend. Zheng Yi, an associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at Northeastern University in Boston, observed a significant drop in the number of Chinese applicants to one of the engineering programs post-pandemic.
This dwindling interest could be partly attributed to China’s growing sense of nationalism, which encourages students to opt for domestic educational institutions. Andrew Chen, the CEO of WholeRen Education based in Pittsburgh, echoed this sentiment, stating that the downward trajectory in Chinese student enrollment in the U.S. is likely to persist.
Beijing has criticized the U.S. for its perceived unwelcoming stance towards certain Chinese students, referencing an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump targeting individuals with ties to the Chinese military.
Amid these challenges, many young Chinese students, particularly those with parents who have studied abroad, remain eager to pursue international education. While the U.S. has been a popular choice in the past, there has been a noticeable shift towards the U.K., with students appreciating the shorter study durations, quality, affordability of British education, and the overall sense of security it offers.
The handling of the pandemic by China has also played a role in motivating more young people to explore opportunities abroad. The realization that the world beyond China’s borders offers different experiences has contributed to a growing willingness among individuals to seek education overseas.
Despite the recent increase in F-1 student visas issued to Chinese students by the State Department, the numbers have yet to fully rebound to pre-pandemic levels. The historical context of Chinese students studying in the U.S. dates back to the late 1970s when China first established formal ties with the U.S., leading to a gradual increase in student exchanges.
The landscape of international student enrollment in the U.S. has evolved over the years, influenced by various factors such as economic developments, government policies, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. As the educational preferences of Chinese students continue to evolve, U.S. institutions are facing increased competition from other countries and regions, reflecting a broader trend in international higher education.