Studying abroad is now quite the vogue in China, attracting
increasingly more young people. Yesterday officials from the
British Embassy in Beijing said that they would continue to
encourage more Chinese students to study in the United Kingdom in
the future.
Minister Barbara Woodward of the British Embassy to China told
China.org.cn during the press conference that in 2006 the British
Embassy stamped over 20 thousand Chinese student visas. This
accounts for 88 percent of the Chinese student visas, making
Britain still the top destination for Chinese applicants.
She said: "The rate has jumped by nearly 20 percent from the
same period last year. To date Britain is the most favored
destination, with a current total of over 60,000 Chinese
students."
"The number of student visas issued by the British Consulate in
Shanghai has also increased by almost 50 percent compared with the
same period last year."
UNESCO figures show that Chinese students comprise 14 percent of
the world's international students, making them the most populous
group. Their favorite destinations for higher studies are Britain,
the US and Japan.
According to Ms. Woodward handsome scholarships, better job
prospects and further opportunities to pursue higher education are
the main attractions of foreign universities.
"More students are receiving quality educations in Great
Britain. The British government welcomes the rising numbers of
international students. We allow them to spend a year working in
the UK after they have graduated. Meanwhile, the quality of student
applications is getting better as well," stated Ms. Woodward.
Ms. Wu Yuanyuan, senior education officer from the Culture and
Education Section of the British Embassy, also attended the
meeting. She told China.org.cn that the British government has
launched a series of scholarships to encourage more people to
further their studies in the UK.
"For example, the UK government proposed a new memorandum of
understanding to continue the Joint Chevening Scholarship Program
between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the China
Scholarship Council. This memorandum was renewed recently for three
more years. The arrangement is a flagship UK-China program
responsible for sending up to 150 scholars a year to the UK to
study for Master's degrees," she noted.
She told China.org.cn that currently UK-China relations,
covering a broad range of society including commercial, academic
and personal links, are in the best shape ever. Students taking
part in the program come from all areas of society. They form
lasting connections with the UK."
She was queried whether some foreign students have problems
adapting to their environment, either at home or abroad.
Ms. Wu answered: "It is an all too common situation, because
problems faced by young overseas students do not appear before they
are sent to a foreign culture. They must often cope alone."
"For students who haven't reached adulthood, leaving their
motherland and communicating in a language other than their mother
tongue can be quite unbearable. They are in a completely strange
environment. Setbacks may be inevitable, especially as they have no
psychological training before going overseas. Many students have a
teenage mentality before they head abroad," she explained.
Ms. Wu suggested that independence is essential for overseas
study. This fact is neglected by many parents and kids because they
believe that money can solve anything.
"Instead, parents should learn to change their mindset. They
must realize that a life far away from home is not suitable for
every child. It is risky to bet on the future of your kids. British
government officials try their best to provide good service for the
students," she said.
In October of this year a new visa electronic biometrics
fingerprint scanning system will be adopted. Chinese overseas
applicants are required to take a 10-finger quick scan and provide
a digital photo.
It is the first time that this measure will be used in China.
Actually the method is not new. It has been widely adopted in many
other countries by the British government, according to the
embassy.
(China.org.cn by Staff Reporter Wang Ke August 21, 2007)
