To learn about their post-graduation plans, teachers at the university conducted a questionnaire investigation. The result showed that one third wished to work in China and one tenth hoped to continue their studies in China.

Of the 155 valid questionnaires returned, 54 students said they would like to stay in China to work. When asked to choose their future job, 72 expressed their hope to work in Chinese language-related fields (51 had majored in language and culture), 45 hoped to find work related to Chinese trade (34 were graduates of the trade and economic department), and 24 hoped to engage in cultural exchanges (20 had, in fact, found an ideal position). A further 20 planned to continue their studies in China.

A boy from Turkey found a job in Shanghai in a Turkish machine tools importer. He said, "China's economy is developing quickly, and trade and economic exchanges between China and Turkey are becoming frequent. Now, China has many Turkish companies who need Turks able to speak Chinese. I have studied in BLCU for about four years. I think I'm qualified for the job."

A student from Portugal said, "I like China very much. After four years of study in BLCU, I am now accustomed to living in Beijing. The Chinese people are friendly and kind-hearted, and the Chinese economy is developing rapidly, which provides me with many working opportunities. I have decided to stay in China and find a job in Beijing or Shanghai. I can speak English, French, Portuguese as well as Chinese. Many of my classmates and friends have found jobs in China, and they can pass on their experiences."

An Armenian girl pointed to her sister, saying, "I am influenced by my sister and have decided to stay and work in China. My sister graduated from this university two years ago. Now she is busy learning xiangsheng (comic dialogue) from Ding Guangquan, a well-known xiangsheng teacher, and performing all over China. We are both interested in Chinese traditional culture. Now I am trying to seek a job related to Chinese culture or cultural exchanges between the two countries in Beijing."

According to Professor Li Yang, Director of the Chinese Language Institute, the rate of foreign students hoping to stay in China is increasing year by year. Besides the strong attraction of traditional Chinese culture, the degree of China's opening-up is constantly expanding, creating vacancies for foreign students in many fields. For example, a TV station not long ago discussed the possibility of hiring foreign students at the university. In addition, the rapid development of China has provided many opportunities for foreign students to bring their talents into full play. A few European or American students said they feel great employment pressures in their own countries, so they want to build a working life in China. Units employing foreign students from BLCU show great satisfaction with their working ability.

BLCU is a university especially devoted to Chinese language and Chinese culture education for foreign students. In the past 30 years, it has trained more than 50,000 students from some 160 countries and regions. At present, there are 5,000 foreign students.

(CIIC)