Chinese students take challenges at foreign colleges

OTTAWA — Canada’s universities are opening their arms wider to international students, especially those from China, who are taking multiple challenges as well as enjoying the novelty of their overseas school life.

In the capital city of Ottawa, postsecondary institutions are receiving ever larger numbers of foreign students in order to boost international enrollment to offset a projected drop in Canadian students.

Chinese students flock in, which is a reflection that affluent parents spend more on their children’s education and expect them to grow up in a more cosmopolitan environment.

Studying at high schools in China is more difficult than at high schools in Canada, but studying at universities in China is easier than in Canada, said Shuhao Jiang, who came from China’s southern city of Shenzhen to study commerce in management information systems at the University of Ottawa.

“I’m studying here at my university, facing a lot of assignments, mid terms and finals,” he said.

Moses Fu, who came from Fushun in Northeast China’s Liaoning province, and studies accounting at the same university, listed the language barrier as one of the hurdles that Chinese students must overcome in Canada.

“Study English hard. Be prepared for English,” Fu said.

Apart from academic and language challenges, the cold weather is another concern for many Chinese students, particularly those from South China, where it is humid and warm all year round.

“Bring enough clothes to Canada. I was freezing in the winter here because I didn’t bring enough clothes,” said Charles Chauhei Yeung from Hong Kong, who studies marketing.

While universities in Canada have a demand for international students, some Chinese choose Canada to complete their higher education for other reasons.

“The first reason is because of safety. It’s a much safer place,” said Charles in reference to the United States.

Jiang prioritized Canada’s diversified culture and Fu highlighted its different ways of education.

“There will be a good studying environment, a good education,” Fu said.

For Ottawa, the Chinese trio held different views. A smaller population may be a better fit for one, but not all.

“There’s actually barely anyone on the street,” said Charles, who is accustomed to the hustle-bustle of Hong Kong.

Work and study hard

According to ICEF Monitor, a market intelligence resource for the international education industry, the total number of international students in Canada topped 414,946 in 2016, a 17.5 percent rise over 2015, while there was a 22 percent increase in new international students.

Those from China and India made up over half the number, trailed by Brazil, Vietnam and Philippines, it added.

“Work hard and study hard. This is such a great experience,” said Jiang.