As many of my readers are aware, I have been very involved in global training and education, particularly between China and the U.S.  In this regard, I have been active in bringing many delegations from China to be educated in business practices in the U.S.  Many of these have been hosted under the auspicious of Woodbury Universitys, Pacific Rim Programs, in association with US China Business Institute and my company, King International Group.  These groups from China, whose time with us ranges from two weeks to three months are given exposure to business practices in the U.S., including lectures by Woodbury faculty and business leaders, as well as on-site visits to business and government offices.  A wide variety of subjects are discussed, including management, marketing, human resources, law, environmental and energy concerns, hospital administration, urban planning and architecture, executive search, education, technology, intellectual property, etc.  I believe hosting these delegations is important in increasing the understanding between two cultures and economies.  This point is often emphasized by the Chinese in our discussions.

Another matter that we discuss with our Chinese friends is the importance of student exchange and the number of Chinese students studying in the U.S, as well as those who want to study here but are restricted by visa requirements.  We welcome Chinese students, and in many cases they are outstanding and seriously want to pursue their academic goals.  Studying here also provides them the opportunity to better understand Americans.

While we are pleased to have many Chinese students studying in the U.S., 150,000 approximately, I believe it would be mutually advantageous to have more American students studying in China.  We do have many student exchange programs where American students study in China for a few weeks or months then return to the U.S. and usually receive credit towards their degree.  But, very few American students enroll in Chinese universities and receive degrees.  Now, to be sure, this is challenging for most American students since one of the requirements for enrollment is some fluency in Mandarin and an adjustment to the culture.  A message to foreign students from a Chinese Ministry of Education bulletin makes this point:  “Before you go, please don't overlook psychological preparation in social and cultural fields. You'd better get prepared for possible problems, and find solutions to them. This will help you to have a good time studying in China.  You must try to clear up the annoyances brought about by cultural differences. You will be interested in what is going on around you when you first step on the Chinese land, and a sense of curiosity will well up in your heart. However, you will soon unavoidably feel depressed due to cultural differences. For example, you will find it difficult to communicate, amidst different values and way of thinking. Don't worry. You'll learn to get accustomed to it bit by bit as you get to know more about the surroundings. At this time, you will be able to gradually drive away loneliness and feel the joys of Chinese social and cultural life”.

The education of international students in China began in 1950 with a contingent of 35 students from Eastern Europe.  Today there are more than 400 universities in China spread among 31 provinces.  There are some internationally recognized prestigious schools.  They include:  Peking University (Beijing), Tsinghua University (Beijing), Fudan University (Shanghai), Shanghai Tiao University (Shanghai), Nanjing University (Nanjing).

The majority of students studying in China are from Asia, a total of 65,000 or about 80%.  International students from Europe rank second with 6,500.  There are only 4,500 American students studying in China.

To encourage more international students, the Chinese government is offering attractive scholarships and holding seminars in foreign countries to inform international students on opportunities for studying in China.

The process of enrolling in Chinese universities requires some effort:  completing the admissions forms, submission of academic records and passing the HSK test (their equivalent of our TOFEL), and obtaining their student visa.

However, the opportunity for American students to attend and graduate from a Chinese university is a unique experience.  With the increasingly dominant economic role of China in the world, it would behoove more American students to immerse themselves in Chinese culture for 4 years and thereby increase their value as a bridge between the two countries.

Richard King, Chairman Emeritus of Woodbury University
Director, Pacific Rim Programs at Woodbury University
Chairman/Founder King International Group 626-792-4729