Challenges That International Students Face in China

International students are increasingly choosing China as their location of choice for higher education.

In addition to receiving a top-notch education, students can gain useful professional experience after they finish their studies.

However, residing in a nation with a completely different culture and traditions might be difficult. In this article, we highlight some of the challenges that international students face in China.

Why Study in China?

International students who study in China have the chance to experience life from a Chinese standpoint. Students will have the upper hand when searching for future employment options if they combine their knowledge of China and their native nations.

Students will get firsthand exposure to a developing global power. The knowledge acquired by studying in China will provide you with a competitive edge in job interviews.

Students can show they have a solid comprehension of the Chinese market and the skill to adapt to diverse cultures and surroundings and internationalize their resumes through their study abroad experiences.

One of the most recognized places for international students to study is China. With the hope of finding a better chance of employment in industries including diplomacy, tourism, banking, academia, finance, trade, journalism, and many more, a good number of students decided to study in China.

Foreign Corporations are vying for the best Mandarin Chinese speakers to serve as CEOs for their projects in China. Understanding the Chinese language and the advantages of speaking it is gradually becoming more crucial as China sprung up as an economic superpower.

How to Apply to Chinese Universities

You would need to complete several stages to apply to a university in China, the first of which is enrolling in a Chinese institution. There are, however, specific steps to follow.

Research Admission Requirements

For precise information on prerequisites, language competence criteria, and application deadlines, carefully check each university’s website or get in touch with the admissions offices.

Choose a Program

Choose the educational path you want, whether it’s a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate programme. Ensure the language of instruction in your programme of choice is one you are comfortable with (often Chinese or English).

Online Application

There is often an online application site for Chinese universities. Register, fill out the application, and upload your supporting documentation. You might also need to send physical copies of your documents to some universities.

Pay Application Fee

Pay the application price, which varies depending on the university. Normally non-refundable, this charge pays for the handling of your application.

Challenges That International Students Face in China | Overview

Language Barrier

The language barrier is a key hurdle international students face in China. Today, a lot of colleges provide a wide variety of English-language programmes.

Still, outside of the classroom, you’ll discover that Chinese people’s general English proficiency isn’t as good as it is in most Western nations.

If a Chinese person respectfully declines to help you when you ask for assistance, don’t take it personally; many Chinese simply don’t know how to converse with outsiders in English properly.

Young people in China can also be bashful, and even if they speak excellent English, they occasionally avoid interacting with outsiders. You’ll probably need to go through the language barrier to engage with people and understand more about the local way of life.

Making Local Friends

It’s great to make friends with locals to immerse yourself in a culture thoroughly, and of course, if you’re learning Mandarin, you’ll want to use it. Finding practicing partners, though, might be challenging.

Chinese people are keen to learn about Western culture and are receptive to different cultures, especially students and young people.

Due to the educational and cultural distinctions between you and the Chinese individual, it can be challenging to identify a topic that interests both of you.

To do this, one strategy is to find a language exchange partner. English is the most widely chosen language among the many young people in China who are attempting to acquire a foreign tongue.

Culture Shock

If you want to study or live in China, be prepared for a significant cultural shock. Enjoy discovering a new culture and way of life, and always have an open mind.

It’s important to remember that we evaluate everything in light of our cultural values; therefore, there is no right or wrong. The attitude towards personal space is one example of a cultural variation.

People in China are relaxed about having less personal space. One explanation would be that because of China’s enormous population, individuals there have grown accustomed to standing near one another.

When a Chinese person approaches you during a conversation, they often aren’t aiming to invade your personal space; rather, they are trying to be pleasant or demonstrate that they are listening to what you have to say.

The Cost of Student Accommodation in China

Finding adequate student housing is one of the most frequent issues that arise for students. For a university study trip to China, you must be well-prepared, just like any other international student.

Choosing the right city

What is the best Chinese city to study in is one of the questions students have the most! The problems Chinese students are facing can be solved by this alone.

Finding a place in China that is close to the appropriate expenses of learning, living, and benefits is crucial for students. Compared to the prices of studying in other nations, such as America, Europe, and Australia, these expenses are considered low.

Scholarships Available for International Students in China

Are you considering studying in China but concerned about the cost? You’ll be happy to learn that many scholarships are available for International students who want to study in China.

• Shanghai Government Scholarship
  • Scholarship Value: Type A: RMB 59,200 ($9,155) per person each year, Type B: RMB 20,800 ($3,215) per person each year
  • Scholarship Link
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Doctoral degrees at Shanghai-based universities
• Chinese Government Scholarship Type B
  • ScholarshipValue: Partial to the full tuition Fee
  • Scholarship Link
  • Eligible Degree: Graduate studies
• Fujian Government Scholarship
  • Scholarship Value: RMB 30,000 ($4,640) to RMB 60,000 ($9,280) per person per year
  • Scholarship Link
  • Eligible Degree: Doctoral, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees at Fujian-based Institutions
• Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) Type A
  • Scholarship Value: Partial to the full tuition Fee
  • Scholarship Link
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Doctors
• Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship
  • Eligible Degree: Doctoral degree
  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Value: Full tuition subsidy for 1 semester to 2 years
• Ph.D. in China Fellowship
  • Scholarship Value: Full tuition aid for 3 years
  • Scholarship Link
  • Eligible Degree: Doctors
• Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS)
  • Scholarship Value: Full tuition for 1 year for Bachelor’s and Master’s students, Full tuition for 3 years for Ph.D. students
  • Scholarship Link
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s, Doctoral, and Bachelor’s degrees at Beijing-based universities
• Jiangsu Jasmine Scholarship
  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition, accommodation, and other fees
  • Scholarship Link
  • Eligible Degree: Undergraduate, Masters, and PhD
• Silk Road Muduo Scholarship
  • Scholarship Value: Full tuition subsidy for the duration of the study
  • Scholarship Link
  • Eligible Degree: Doctoral, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees at the Beijing Normal University (BNU)
• Hubei Provincial Scholarship
  • Scholarship Value: Full tuition
  • Scholarship Link
  • Eligible Degree: Undergraduate, Masters, and PhD
• Schwarzman Scholarship
  • Scholarship Value: Full tuition subsidy for 1 year
  • Scholarship Link
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s degree in Public Policy, Business & Economics, or International Studies at Tsinghua University

Factors Pulling International Students to China

Less than 37,000 international students studied in China in 1995, and the nation was not listed among the top travel destinations worldwide.

In China’s institutions and schools last year, nearly 490,000 international students were registered, a rise of more than 1200% from the previous year.

That places China as the world’s fifth-ranked study destination, behind only the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada – and ahead of other top locations like Germany and France. Around six out of ten international students in China are from other Asian countries.

Nevertheless, the makeup of sending nations is shifting, with China sourcing a large portion of its recent expansion from developing markets in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Africa.

Academic Prowess

China has many top-notch educational institutions, including internationally recognized universities and research facilities.

Economic Expansion

International students have more professional options thanks to a booming economy.

Cultural Diversity

The depth of China’s culture, history, and language broadens viewpoints on the world.

Globalization

China’s expanding influence on world affairs opens doors for cross-cultural encounters.

Scholarships

The liberal scholarships awarded by the Chinese government and universities make education in China affordable.

Innovation

Students interested in innovation are drawn to universities with access to cutting-edge research and technology.

Various Landscapes

China offers a variety of locations to explore, from megacities to picturesque countryside.

Conclusion

International students’ difficulties in China are as varied and dynamic as the nation.

Although intimidating, these difficulties—from linguistic roadblocks to cultural adjustments, academic obligations, and administrative complexities—offer students priceless chances for development, resiliency, and intercultural understanding.

They become truly global citizens prepared to embrace the world with a larger perspective and a deeper feeling of resilience due to taking these difficulties head-on rather than merely as students.