Increasing Interest of U.S. Students in China for Undergraduate Studies
PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY
Students from the United States are increasingly choosing China for their undergraduate education. Approximately 35% of international freshmen at Duke Kunshan University (DKU), situated in Jiangsu province, originate from the U.S., making American students the largest group in the university’s international community.
Despite the complexities in the U.S.-China relationship, international applications, especially from American undergraduates, continue to rise. John Quelch, the executive vice-chancellor and American president of DKU, noted that this trend signifies the resilience of educational exchanges between the two nations. He highlighted that many American students are beginning to understand the importance of firsthand experience in China, recognizing its significant role in the global economy and the potential benefits for their future careers.
“This experience builds knowledge, cross-cultural understanding, critical thinking, and a sense of global responsibility,” Quelch stated.
For students like Sara and Alejandra Salazar, the aspiration to study in China has been long-standing. They expressed their excitement, stating that their dream of living and studying in China together, along with their parents, has finally come true.
