Should Chinese Students Study Abroad?
As many as 380 000 Chinese Mainlanders are studying abroad right now. But should they? The short answer is: Yes, Chinese students should study abroad but they must be aware of the differences in culture that exist.
For the long answer, please keep reading.
This article was written in response to my Chinese friends in Britain who are struggling to find a job. It didn’t seem fair to me that those who are cleverer and harder working than me are not able to find a job. This article is for them (you know who you are).
I’ve also taught Chinese students who want to go abroad. So then I decided to explore the reasons for going abroad to study. Although I am not a Chinese Mainland student I feel that I can offer the unique perspective of an outsider.
What began as a short blog post grew into a leviathan. So, like a good student, I’ve split it up into 4 sections: an introduction, the benefits, the dangers and a conclusion.
University days
I first spotted the Chinese student in the lecture theatre during first year. Whilst I was doing the Times crossword and/or sleeping in the back, the Chinese student were diligently listening at the front. In second year, I got to work with them on some presentations and I made some good friendships. In third year we revised together for our finals. Actually, they revised, I was still doing the Times crossword, and Su Doku had been invented by then too. After the exams were over, we shared some drinks and reminisced about the future.
Encounters in China
When I started teaching I was amazed to find that every other student wanted to learn English in order to study abroad. I helped my friend prepare the IELTS exam, which is an English qualification for foreign speakers. Typically, a score of 7 is needed to study abroad, which is the standard of a competent/good user. I have also helped with some applications to foreign universities, which bought back some bad memories of UCAS.
My main gripe is that there is a horrible misconception that studying abroad will ensure a bright, trouble-free future. Some think that the West is the land of milk and honey and that they will find their fortune there. Unfortunately this is not the case - try standing outside on a wet and windy English winter’s day.
The Benefits of Studying Abroad
1. Escape Domestic pressures
Let me describe some of the pressures that Chinese students face. Imagine a country full of hard working students. Add onto that the pressures of being an only-child. Then mix in a lack of a Western-style social security system, which means the parents depend on the only child for support during retirement. (Though this will become less of a problem as China develops). Finally, top it off with an ultra-competitive graduate job market. A million 2007 graduates have yet to find work. These are the pressures that the average student faces. It is hard to get ahead when all the graduates are very good.
2. Differentiate yourself
One reason for studying abroad is to differentiate oneself from the other Chinese. Only 10 Mainland Chinese universities are ranked in the top 500. So the grass really is greener on the other side (please, no jokes about the pollution). Also, there are simply not enough spaces at Chinese university to satisfy demands. As many as 4 million students could not secure places in 2005. In contrast, foreign universities welcome Chinese students (and their money) with open arms.
3. Potential Reward of Hard Work
In general, the Chinese are brilliant students. It’s simply part of Chinese culture. This work ethic has been passed onto Chinese children born in Britain, where the Chinese score the best out all the other ethnic groups. In Liverpool, the best grammar (selective) school has been invaded by (British-born) Chinese students. (OK, exaggeration).
Chinese Mainland students have shown that they are the amongst the hardest working. They would chose to stay in the library rather than go home. And they would chose to study rather than go out. They are justly rewarded for their efforts. I know at least 2 Chinese students that got First Class Honours degrees.
4. Learn the Language and Learn the Culture
As I have (painfully) found out, culture does matter. So one can learn an invaluable amount from living in a foreign country - both about ourselves and others. You can easily improve your English too. These experiences are becoming more and more important in today’s globalised economy.
The Dangers of Studying Abroad
Whilst there are many success stories, things do go wrong for the Chinese student who goes abroad. This prompted me to write this blog post huge long article. So before you go off to study in the green fields of England, consider this:
1. The cost
It goes without saying that studying abroad is cripplingly expensive. The tuition fees for an arts degree at Nottingham University are £10 200 per year. There are opportunities to get scholarships or grants but you have to be academically brilliant. In any case it probably won’t cover the full cost.
Some would argue that, if the long run increase in earnings is taken into account, it is worth it. But the short term costs cannot be ignored. At best a Chinese student could take out a international student loan. However, these loans are only available for US and Canadian universities and must be co-signed by an American (or Canadian citizen). Chinese parents thus make big sacrifices for their children.
Just as a side note, don’t pity the self-sacrificing Chinese parent. It is an expected part of the culture that Chinese parents give everything for their children. In return the parents rightfully expect to be looked after in old age, and the future generation will make the same sacrifices to their children.
The worse case is that a Chinese student has to work part time to earn some money. Of course, many domestic students also face this difficulty, however, Chinese students, ceteris paribus, have to study harder than domestic students. Thus, the burden is greater.
To be honest, Chinese students already know about the financial costs. However, culture shock is perhaps the great underestimated danger of studying abroad.
2. Culture shock.
It’s hard to emphasise how different Eastern and Western cultures are. Here is yet another link for the uninitiated. I’m not going to discuss the differences but point out that the natural response is shun the foreign culture and recreate your own.
So the Chinese students form their own exclusive groups - eating, studying and playing together. This is a natural response and I did exactly the same thing I first arrived in China. I didn’t make many Chinese friends and spent my time with the Westerners. I felt critical about Eastern culture and I shunned it. I spent too much time in McDonalds. This happened despite my experience of living in a Chinese home and travelling around different parts of the world.
If Chinese students don’t break out of their own groups then they lose many of the opportunities and benefits of living abroad. In some instances English fluency digresses because of a lack of practice. I know one Chinese student who fell into a serious depression after moving to Germany to study.
Personally, I made many good Mainland Chinese friends during my time at university. Not every student will fall into the culture shock trap but it is not to be underestimated.
3. English is hard
Chinese students often have English yet may still struggle in an academic environment. One reason is because of the specialised vocabulary particular to each subject, which is why universities ask prospective students to prove their vocabulary level. Another reason is that most learning is done via lectures. However, this demands that students listen, write and comprehend at the same time, which is one of the hardest skills.
So it is especially hard when English is not your native language. So for a given lecture, a Chinese student has to spend more time studying than a native student. I have seen students recording lectures on Dictaphones and reviewing them after class. Incredibly time-consuming.
My final reason is written English has a much different structure than written Chinese. There are fundamental differences between Eastern and Western thinking and philosophy. Westerners emphasise logic and getting to the point. Easterners examine an issue from all angles. When a Chinese student tries to write an essay with Eastern mindset the result is an unreadable essay. I have seen sentences that are as long as a paragraph with six or seven clauses (commas) when two will do. I have read essays that never follow through to a conclusion.
This is why the writing part of the Ielts exam is the one that Chinese students have the most trouble with. This means that intelligent Chinese students may struggle with essay because of cultural differences and not because of lack of ability in English. It is not enough to be good at English but one must also think like a Westerner.
4. Parental pressure
Many Chinese student’s choice of university degree is decided by their parents. I have some friends who admit to hating their degrees. This is alien to Western students, who typically gain their freedom when they turn 18. However, in Chinese culture, it is still a virtue to obey your parents right until you get married.
I’m not going to say that this is a good or bad thing. I just want to point out that parental pressure may be motivating some students to go abroad.
5. Staying abroad.
Unfortunately, studying abroad is no guarantee of getting a good job abroad. I suspect that differences in culture make it harder for a Chinese student to get a job.
Concluding remarks
Studying abroad is definitely beneficial. I would encourage any Chinese student to do so. However, they need to have the right attitude. Chinese students must be aware of the cultural differences between East and West. Then they must understand the differences. Finally they must overcome the differences and embrace Western culture, not reject it. It doesn’t mean you stop being Chinese, it just means that you don’t suffer for it.
So go come to the green fields of England and study but beware of the Culture Monster that lurks behind you.
Further reading and sources (vain attempt to look professional)
(warning: pdf link) Chinese student’s motivation to study abroad - Written by Gareth Davis from the University of Chester. It is a more formal paper about this subject. It is actually quite a light read.
International student’s blog - A blog for international students.
Chinese students drawn to Britain - Article from the BBC
Chinese students oust UK pupils from top universities - Controversial article from The Times
on April 11th, 2008 at 6:16 am
James, great work on writing this up. I almost did one of my essays due next week on Overseas Chinese and how they affect economy in both China and other nations, but was quite sketchy.
Yes, the cost James quoted there is EXACTLY how much I pay for one year at University of Edinburgh (爱丁堡大学) in Scotland, £10,200. That is like $20,000, or 140,000 RMB. Even for an American that is steep, since everything costs 1.5-2 times as much. Not to say it isn’t worth it, and we have to adjust ourselves to other countries, cultures and financial settings, but it can’t be part of the burden and pressure. Regardless, I was SOOOO surprised to see how many Chinese are studying here. In my dorm alone I would say 50% are Asian, all mostly main-land Chinese.
The other thing I want to respond to for any Chinese reading this who will/are studying abroad in what James wrote in the “Culture Shock” section: I have found that Chinese are the WORST in all my friends here in Edinburgh at getting out of little groups of Chinese…and many of my non-Chinese friends comment on this, saying it is hard to get to know you. Seems like a Chinese students friends are mostly all Chinese (a few exceptions, but it always seems that the westerner, be it Italian, German, French or American, that makes the first move to befriend them), and they only study with their classmates that are Chinese.
I have been able to penetrate these groups of Chinese students because I speak Chinese and prefer to hang with Chinese people in order to learn from each other more, yet my Chinese friends aren’t so willing… and even don’t completely treat me like part of their group. I always feel like _I_ have to introduce them to western things, like having a western lunch, or maybe going to a pub, just at least to try it or have a place to chat… it isn’t exactly the same as bars in China or the States.
So, my advice, if you do go abroad and don’t want to see this money being wasted, and want help with this difficult-to-learn English, break away from always only being with other Chinese people. I can’t believe how many of the Chinese here first met each other on QQ BEFORE coming just so they would feel secure in Chinese groups. Don’t do it. Don’t only do what makes you feel secure! You may feel insecure for a bit, but you will learn a lot more reaching out to the westerners and other Asians here… and they will learn from you! There is a lot of misunderstanding about China in the world (I know, for currently I am writing two essays, one titled “Is China a Threat to the West - A response to the ‘China Threat Theory’”, and the other on how the west views China’s foreign policies in the light of Mao’s Thought and Deng’s Theories)
So, if you are going to spend the money, make it worth it, for yourself and others. Work with your Western classmates and dorm/flatmates, not in what seems like competition or isolation against them. The world needs to know you!
Sorry, sounds like I’m complaining, but not, I just felt that this was an important issue that is for the good of you Chinese students, and James gave me the opportunity… so blame him.
And that’s all I have to say about that.
-Rich
on April 11th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Great, informative article. I think like you rightly said there are plenty of hurdles but the rewards and opportunities are there.
There’s plenty to think about though! - Very impressive, this is probably better than most of the ssays I do for university projects!
on April 12th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Hey James,
nice one. I would just add that, although academics in Chinese culture is very important, in Western culture the other aspects of ones life (interpersonal relations/social interests) are important to stay ahead after university. The Western job market is not just wanting intelligent workers, but also those with other interests which allow them to interact with a variety of other types of people.
Mixing with ‘Western’ students while studying is a great way to achieve a good balance and to make interacting with a different culture ’second nature’… it is easier to attempt this at uni than in the ‘real world’ so i would encourage any overseas students to be brave and go for it.
thats all from me
on April 13th, 2008 at 4:27 am
Hello James!
That blog which you have written on, “Should Chinese students study abroad?” is pretty good. I bet it’s taken you a long time to write it. It took me a very long time to read it. You’ve managed to insert a lot of facts and (interesting) weblinks into it. I agree with the comments you made about the major difficulties which these international students must face when they come to study here. I do remember even European students who came to study in UK who told me how difficult it was for them. I think it’s even harder for Chinese people because it’s more difficult for them turn learn english. It certainly doesn’t help when they only hang around with their own Chinese mates rather than mix with the locals. I think Chinese societies can be bad for them as it generates an environment which makes it even more difficult for them to integrate with locals.
My advice for them when they come to UK is to perhaps participate in a sports which they really like and join the university team. Only join one type of sporting activity because it’ll take up too much of their time if they try too many. Getting a part time job with an agency helps a lot because it really tests their english ability. Their greatest benefits will be with improving their language skills and understanding English people better by interacting with them. I don’t think at £5/hour the money side will help them very much. Working for an agency is good because they can work only when they want to, so it doesn’t take up too much of their valuable study time.
Now the above is a lot easier said than done. Here’s what I think it’s like in their shoes. Firstly, it must seem very daunting trying to socialise with English people rather than their local Chinese mates when they’re all talking about things you haven’t got the foggiest idea about. It must be very tempting to take the easy option and just hang around with their Chinese mates who will share the same experiences, TV programmes, culture and major problems which they face in the foreign country. This is why I think they’ll have a better chance of building long term friendships with locals if they join a society which they truly have an interest in. I think they’ll build up good bonds with their new english mates when they keep talking (in english) about their similar interests. Sorry to go off the point. The most daunting step must be at the start when, they may find it very difficult build up rapport with (some) English people.
Secondly, the language barrier is definately another great problem for them. I bet you would find it difficult now to not talk to any of your English speaking mates about your similar experiences in China and only mix with local Chinese and only talk to them (in Chinese) especially when they won’t really understand what you’re going through. They’ll obviously have different priorities too. It’s much more difficult for mainland Chinese people in UK. I think that a lot of local English people will be very impatient when trying to understand chinese people speaking to them in broken English. I reckon it’s because English is the main language recognised worldwide so they don’t need to learn other languages. People in other countries will try to learn English due to it’s importance so they will understand the difficulties that foreigners face.
Thirdly, the admin and legal side must be quite difficult for them. Especially when they’re trying setup UK bank accounts, ensure they have the correct visas and pay all their bills (Council tax, water, electricity and gas bills) on time. This is obviously very important to them. If they get this wrong, they could lose a lot of money. Could you amagine doing all this in China in chinese without any help whatsoever? Would you really know if you were paying your bills to legitimate firms? Perhaps one or two of them might fall for one of the annoying many “You’ve won a holiday!” scams they recieve. It must have also been difficult for them at the start to find good UK universities to apply for during 6th form time in their own country. You hear about a lot of these dreadful scams which gangsters and mafias play on young people especially in China. The usual trick which my own govenment has played on me and a lot of other people. Force young people into debt so that you can control him. The Chinese mafia will be a lot more ruthless, nastly and greedy……although Gordon Brown is not far off. :oD just kidding.
Finally, living over 3000 miles away from their family and close friends must also be a problem. If there’s a problem with their family at home, they can’t just take the train home to see them. No parents around to give them valuable experienced advice every month. However, I don’t think that living away from parents is really as big a deal as my first 3 points, because I personally think that you benefit more if you depend less on your parents. You learn more by just jumping in the deep end and swimming because you have to, not because you’re advised to….or told to by your caring mummy and/or daddy. However in reality for some people, living with their parents can actually cause them more stress. Divorce, family rows and violent parents who may be extremely difficult to reason with, are problems I think a lot of young people have to face when growing up. Even if that person’s parents appear to be the happily married couple, we don’t actually see what they’re like at home.
In summary, if I was in their shoes. Getting a good grade an the University course is obviously the number one priority. Especially with family pressure from whoever pays the £10200/year. I assume that they would have chosen their course carefully on the basis that it’ll be useful and something which they enjoy doing. Take the brave but very daunting step of mixing with mainly local english people rather than their own Chinese mates. I explained before about how joining one society (Not chinese or asian society) which they have a keen interest in will help them. He who dares wins. Don’t sink, swim.
Sorry, I think I’m turning into an old man by just droning on. I’ve done more talking than listening. (More writing than reading in this case) :oD
Enjoy the rest of your China trip. Don’t forget to get back to me about “Jing Jing”.
Best Regards
Lewis
on April 15th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Hey,
Great article James. This should really help people make a more informed decision. It’s a good reminder that, while potential benefits are large, so are the costs. As other people have said, studying in the UK can potentially be a very rewarding experience, both personally and academically. However it requires continuous investment (inside but also outside of the classroom) during the entire time of your studies to realize that potential.
Having said that, I am glad to have met many foreign students from all over the world that have been willing to make that investment and lean out of their comfort zone. I think this has made for a very enriching experience for all of us - wherever we are from.
on April 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
Hi James,
Found this article very interesting coz I am going to study abroad next year . And I will be in the most expensive country” Denmark”. Thanks , it is very helpful!
on April 22nd, 2008 at 6:46 pm
“Finally they must overcome the differences and embrace Western culture, not reject it. It doesn’t mean you stop being Chinese, it just means that you don’t suffer for it.”- I agree with you very much. This is the essential reason stops Chinese students interacting with other nationalities. Some of us focus on study too much, and miss out the life here. Put it in Chinese way - ‘I put both hands up for your article!’
on April 22nd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Just read Richad Mahn’s reply, he is right. It’s too difficult to find out why. No common living experience could be one of the reasons that the conversation has no way to start with. Also, I feel uncomfortable speaking/writing English in front of the native speaker, like now. But we need have our mind opened and desire to accept or learn from other people, and then they will do the same. Chinese is a passive nation, shy, and easily get embarrassed.
I have an impression of westerners if strangers are frank and open firstly, and then they would decide whether to make friends with. Am I right? Last Friday, I started the first real conversation with a colleague in an open office area since I started my work last June. I wanted to change a little, rather than escape the office as soon as I finished my work there (it is not my main work base). Just chatted, discussed different things, I really enjoyed it. What surprised me, it become much easier to chat with other colleagues as well. The next time we met, we are closer and feel like old friends – what a relief! I am not isolated any more!
In reverse, when I try to be open to people from my country, have a feeling that they are hiding from me. I was told that this behaviour is described as ‘naïve’/’childish’ by my families. Hope you know what I mean. It confuses me a lot. Wondering if you have the same problem.
on August 23rd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
One aspect no one has brought up here is that England (where I am a university lecturer) is a high trust society and the PRC is a high loyalty society. This means that what we in the UK see as ‘honesty’ is secondary to solidarity among the Chinese students. They often distrust us because we are not Chinese, and we are at times frustrated by them because they seem to us - from what they tell us or neglect to tell us - be be ‘dishonest;’.
This translates into an interesting situation where we (university authorities) give what we think is good advice to our Chinese students, but they prefer to take advice from fellow Chinese, even though these may not be as well informed.
This can be very frustrating for the universities and sadly works against the best interests of the students.
Jem