Chinese students seeking to study abroad are "likely" to enjoy a one-stop service ranging from entrance examinations, college applications, overseas studies and job-seeking if they plan to return.

Shao Wei, vice-director of the Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange, said the services can really help Chinese students, particularly at a time when the country is facing a serious employment problem.

"Any returned students who had gained our help in studying abroad can further obtain assistance in finding job and residence registration in big cities," Shao told a recent discussion meeting organized by the centre's affiliated intermediary agency, Chivast Education International.

For those returned students, help with job-seeking is as critical as assistance to cope with "culture shock" before they leave, said Shao, who is also acting as president of Chivast Education International.

Chinese students have set their eyes on a wider range of countries for studying abroad, extending from developed countries such as the United States, Canada and Britain, to developing countries like South Africa.

Educational globalization and the identification of different cultures contribute a lot to the diversification of Chinese students' choice, said Shao.

According to Shao, with the development of China's economy, Chinese people were willing to invest more in education, which made it possible for more students to study abroad.

Shao said that cost was the major consideration for Chinese people in choosing where to study. Russia and Ukraine only required 30,000 yuan (US$3,610) each year, which was suitable for ordinary Chinese families.

Ma Yu'e, division director in charge of the centre's international co-operation, said the Ministry of Education will establish service standards to further discipline intermediary agencies and get them to improve their work.

She said: "This move aims to enhance awareness of law enforcement among the agencies and offer better services to the public."

(China Daily July 22, 2003)