Q&A with Chinese parents and Chinese international students in the US

First choice

Mrs. Zhao has a son who is in his first year at senior high school. She consulted many US universities at the China International Education Exhibition Tour in Beijing, hoping to gain more knowledge about studying abroad.

Zhao told the Global Times that the US is the priority destination for her son. She doesn’t want restrictions from the US side to impede her son or cause him to waste time or miss opportunities.

GT: What questions did you ask the US universities at the expo?

Zhao: I came to the expo to learn more about US universities. After consulting with seven or eight admission officers, I know more about the requirements, and learned information about the schools. Since few top ranked US universities have come this time, I know nothing about other schools. Anyway, it would be helpful if we could learn about some basic admission requirements in advance.

GT: Are US universities top choices for your son?

Zhao: The US boasts the largest number of distinguished universities worldwide. You could apply for many famous universities with a TOEFL score. My son would have more opportunities in life if he attends a US university. As a parent,

I hope my child can have more options. At present, if you want to send your child abroad to study, I think you could

consider the

US as the top choice. There are many chilmy friends studying there. I hope they can take care of each other.

GT: Have you ever worried about the US politicians’ speeches that tarnish Chinese students?

you mentioned Zhao: In fact, we is are one worried of the reasons. and what However, what we think about most is to let my child receive a good education in a university. Even if he can’t develop in the US in the future, it would be good if he comes back to China. If the US imposes restrictions on student visas, we have to consider other countries. After all, if the school accepts my son but he can’t get a visa, it will be a great deal of wasted time and opportunity.

Other options

Zhang Ziling (pseudonym), a colent lege student at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times that even though media reported more restrictions were set on science and technology stuher dents rather than liberal arts students, she will consider studying in the US. GT: As a student majoring in foreign language or liberal arts, how do you look at studying in the US?

Zhang: Some European universities came to the expo. For example, some Spanish and French universities are good. They all have programs in English so the language barrier won’t be a problem for Chinese students. It would be an extra benefit if we can grasp a new foreign language.

The main reason for me to study in a masters program abroad is to have better job opportunities in the future. If we could work in Europe or the US after graduation for some time, it would be a wonderful experience. Based on the uncertainties of US policies, if some European countries set favorable policies for foreign students to gain working experience or even work there, it would be very attractive to us. For me, I believe there will more destinations to study abroad for Chinese students.

No changes for now

At the expo, the Global Times interviewed Christine Liu, cultural affairs specialist from the US Embassy to China, about some topics that Chinese students and parents are concerned about.

GT: Some speeches alleging Chinese students are carrying out espionage activities in the US have aroused doubts among Chinese students about studying in the US. What is the attitude of the US toward Chinese students now?

Liu: First of all, there is no change in the policies of studying in the US and student visas. We welcome Chinese students to study in the US as their top choice. In addition to our Education USA office, there are many US universities coming to the expo. If the students and parents have an interest in any school, they could ask questions directly to them. Our office will have direct communication with these universities as well. They welcome international students, especially Chinese, to study in their schools. On the policy level, we have not changed it and will support Chinese students to study in the US as usual. In the study year from 2016 to 2017, the number of Chinese students studying in the US was twice than the number of Indian students.

GT: Many students in the US are worried about their career path after graduation. People are saying that the US government is considering shortening the length of OPT [Optional Practical Training, temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study in the US]. Could you give us any reliable information?

Liu: There hasn’t been any change on the policy of studying in the US, including the policy related to OPT. This is the information that we have currently.

As a result, for

Chinese students who want to study in the US, they should choose the universities and majors that they love, look for internship opportunities and apply for

OPT in time after graduation.