In recent years, the wave of studying abroad in China has surged. Almost visibly, the trend of studying abroad at a younger age has become more pronounced, competition for top schools has intensified, new study-abroad policies from various countries are frequent, and then there are the monthly or annual salaries upon returning home. These undoubtedly put a lot of pressure on international students.
Every year is said to be the biggest year for the "returnee wave," and the gap between the number of students going abroad and those returning is gradually narrowing.
So what is the actual situation?
On December 18, the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), the Development Research Institute of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, and the Social Sciences Academic Press of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences jointly released the Blue Book of International Talent, "Report on the Development of Chinese Students Studying Abroad (2017)."
Understanding the Report in One Chart
Global Study Abroad Trends
Global International Student Growth Slows, U.S. Enrollments Decline
In 2016, globalization reached a crossroads, with developed countries in Europe and America divided over globalization. Work and immigration policies in countries like the U.S. and U.K. tightened, leading to new trends in global study abroad development.
According to the Institute of International Education (IIE) "Project Atlas" data, in the 2016-2017 academic year, the total number of international students in higher education in the eight major destination countries reached 3,533,999, a slight decrease in growth (0.04%) compared to the 2015-2016 academic year. Meanwhile, the growth rate of international students in the U.S. dropped by 3.7 percentage points from the previous academic year, while the U.K. saw a mere 0.3 percentage point increase. In contrast, international student numbers in China, Australia, and Canada continued to grow.
In the 2016-2017 academic year, new international student enrollments at U.S. higher education institutions decreased by 3.3% year-on-year compared to 2015-2016, with the growth rate dropping by 5.7 percentage points year-on-year, marking the first negative growth in new international student enrollments since the 2006-2007 academic year.
The decline in the growth rate of U.S. international student numbers mainly occurred after Trump's election as U.S. president. This can be seen from the number of F-1 visas obtained by mainland Chinese students: in fiscal year 2016, 148,000 F-1 visas were issued to mainland Chinese students, a 46% drop from fiscal year 2015. In addition, major source countries like India and South Korea also experienced varying degrees of decline, which is directly related to changes in work visa and immigration policies after Trump took office.
China is the Top Source of International Students
In terms of rankings of major source countries, in 2015, among the top ten source countries for international students globally, Asia accounted for six spots. China remains the top source country.
Comprehensive School Ranking is a Key Factor for International Students
The quality of study abroad programs is of great concern to international students, especially regarding comprehensive school rankings. Therefore, many top international schools also use improving their rankings as a means to attract international students.
A continuous study by the U.S. non-profit organization World Education Services (WES) systematically analyzed the factors influencing school choice when studying in the U.S.
Chinese students pay more attention to factors directly related to studying abroad, such as school prestige (61% of respondents), followed by application success rate (48%), school location (40%), and post-graduation earning potential (39%).
Trends in Chinese Study Abroad
Current Status and Trends of Chinese Study Abroad
According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Education, in 2016, the total number of Chinese students going abroad for study reached 544,500, a year-on-year increase of 3.97%, with the growth rate down 9.93 percentage points from 2015, marking the sixth time since 2000 that the growth rate has been in single digits. Cumulatively, from 1978 to 2016, the total number of Chinese students who studied abroad reached 4,586,600, of which 1,362,500 are currently studying or conducting research abroad.
The main factors driving people to study abroad are broadening international horizons and enriching life experiences. In contrast, external pressures like exam stress, peer influence, and climate are secondary.
Through an Agency or DIY?
Compared to 2016, study abroad consulting service agencies remain the mainstream choice for people planning to study abroad, but the proportion rose from 60% to 74%, indicating that more people are choosing professional study abroad service agencies, while the DIY group is still a minority.
Employment for Returnees Enters the "Bronze Age"
Dr. Wang Huiyao said that in the face of the "Bronze Age" for returnee employment, international students and prospective students need to deeply consider the value and significance of studying abroad.
On one hand, studying abroad is not a panacea; it is simply another way or channel to acquire knowledge and skills. Therefore, it is necessary to have an accurate positioning for studying abroad, i.e., what outcomes you hope to achieve through studying abroad and what aspects can be improved. On the other hand, planning before and during the study abroad period is essential. Participation in club activities, seizing internship opportunities, and developing social skills should all be key development opportunities for international students to focus on while successfully completing their studies. Facing an increasingly internationalized Chinese market, returnees who "return naked" with only a diploma may encounter greater difficulties in career development.
