Benefits of Studying in China for Western Students

The chance to study abroad is a huge opportunity for a student. If a western student is given the chance to study in and experience Shanghai, for example, they know right away that they should take it if they can. 

So, what exactly is the draw to study abroad in China? How can a western student benefit from this experience? There are actually a surprising number of ways that a semester or more of studying abroad in China can open up opportunities for western students. 

If you live in one country or area your whole life, you become ingrained in that culture and that culture becomes ingrained in you. There are certain foods that you eat and manners that you have, for example.

As such, if you were to experience a different culture, you would have the chance to try a different way of life. This experience does more than simply allow you to try authentic Chinese food, though. It can also open you up to a new way of thinking.

This is a reason that visiting China can be great for western students. The philosophical differences are rather noticeable when you compare the western hemisphere with the eastern hemisphere. Experiencing such a different culture can help to open the mind of a student and help them to realize the world outside the one they have known their whole lives. For example, Chinese culture has a huge focus on humility and respect, even more than Western cultures tend to.

From a more technical standpoint, a western student can also benefit from learning the language in the country where it is used. After all, learning a language is much easier when you are constantly around it and have the chance to use it.

This experience is made even more valuable when you are speaking the language with native speakers because they can help you not only learn the words and grammar but nail the accent and pronunciation as well. In addition, a textbook usually won’t teach you localized idioms and sayings that are commonly used in the language.

When it comes to learning a language, Chinese specifically, it is easier to learn the language in the country. This is because there are many different variations and localizations of Chinese. As such, a standard Mandarin textbook you might study in a western classroom isn’t always the most effective way to learn. Mandarin is important to learn too because it is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. If you are interested in fields such as business, you may find being fluent in Mandarin is an incredibly useful skill.

When you are studying in China, you will have the chance to study at some fantastic universities. In fact, China’s reputation in terms of higher education is growing. Whether you are simply spending an undergraduate semester there or you’re completing graduate school in another country, you have plenty of options. 

This is important because where you study can mean a lot to potential employers. For example, if you go to an internationally recognized school, employers will take much more notice than if you have a degree from a little-known or community college. 

The great thing about this is that you have options. In China, you aren’t forced to go to one, specific university. Instead, if your heart is set on studying in China, you can apply to multiple universities and potentially have your pick. Schools such as Peking University and Tsinghua University, for example, are internationally ranked in a variety of subjects such as business, mechanical engineering, as well as art and design. 

In the west, going to university often can be a huge point of financial stress. This is because the cost is absolutely tremendous. After all, a semester of college in the United States can start in the thousands for tuition alone. Then, on top of that, you have to consider the price of housing and supplies such as textbooks. For many students, this can be the reason they don’t go to a better university or the reason they can’t afford secondary education at all.

Going to school in China, though, isn’t as much of a financial burden. For many international students, the most affordable universities in China cost 5,000 USD for a full year or less. To offer a more direct comparison for western students, tuition costs for a student in China average at about 50% less than students studying in the United States. It should be noted that this statistic is for public colleges. Naturally, in either country, attending a private institution will cost more than attending a public university.

It is important to consider that the cost of tuition for an international student isn’t your only concern – you will also have fees that are specific to being an international student. Luckily, though, there are a lot of financial opportunities such as scholarships available to international students as well.

A big portion of this affordable education is that the government works hard to help ease the financial burden of preparing yourself for your career. For example, some  – such as Xi’an – offer tax exemptions to certain universities to help them to promote affordable tuition.

One of the best things for students from the west is that opportunity is everywhere in China. If there is one thing that China is credited with constantly and internationally, it’s the fact that they have a booming economy.

This is great for many people but especially students and young professionals. After all, almost any career that you might want to get into is on the rise from business to technology and beyond. So, western students who study in China can use this opportunity to build their resume for the future or they can start a full career in China.

On the other hand, the economy is also perfect for new businesses. Because of this, many young professionals and entrepreneurs choose China to start their business. While western students might need some help learning the differences in business laws, they will probably find that the benefits are well worth it.

Studying in China offers students a chance to experience something different from what they experience every day. It is a great opportunity for them to grow and expand their horizons not only as a student but as an individual.

Would you also like to read about why you should study Chinese in Beijing? Or would you like to know why you should learn a new language? Check out this article with 8 Surprising Reasons Why You Should Learn a New Language

Are you convinced after reading this article? Do you accept the challenge of studying Chinese in China? Fill out the contact form on our website and one of our program consultants will get back to you as soon as possible