5 reasons why China should be your go-to study abroad destination

India Education

China has become one of the most preferred study abroad destinations for students across the globe. With the largest population in the world, China has already established itself as one of the top players in the field of medicine, engineering and technology and other industries as well. China is also known for its rich culture and heritage. Apart from these, the education system in China is well advanced and the cost of pursuing a degree in China is much more economical as compared to pursuing a degree in European countries.

More than 3-4 lakh students go to China every year to earn a degree. It is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and is investing a lot in its education sector to offer quality education at affordable costs to overseas students. In the recently published QS Top University rankings, China’s Tsinghua University ranked 6th among “QS Top 50 Universities under 50 in Asia” and 25th in “QS World University Rankingw” leaving behind top universities like the University of Sydney and the Ohio State University. If you are still unsure about going to China to get your degree, here are five reasons why you should …

1. It is affordable

A lot of aspiring students can’t afford to go abroad to pursue higher education due to financial constraints. China, despite of having the 2nd largest economy in the world, offers higher education to international students at a lower cost compared to other countries like UK & Europe. This attracts a lot of international students every year. The Chinese Government has introduced schemes and offers to attract international students by offering them financial support in the form of awards, grants and scholarships.

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The expenses of study abroad in China ranges between INR 2-6 lakhs per year and the living cost can be anywhere between INR 15,000-50,000 per month depending upon the city and location you live in.The average cost of MBBS programs in China is about 30,000 RMB/year, which is equivalent to about 3.2 lakhs/year. China is home to some of the best medical schools in the world like Peking University and Fudan University.

2. Quality education with international recognition

Apart from their country-specific curriculum which offer courses on Chinese language, calligraphy and martial arts, China also caters to higher education in engineering, science, medicine and finance. A degree from China is recognized by most countries, in fact the Chinese government has signed an agreement on mutual recognition of academic qualifications with a number of countries including the United States, Britain, France, Japan and 65 other countries.

Canada has joined hands with China and paved way for the Canada–China academic and research collaborations. The Joint Research Centre for Future Energy and Environment, for example—a collaboration between the University of Alberta and Tsinghua University—is developing sustainable, low-carbon energy solutions to address climate change. Also, The University of Ottawa and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica have co-founded a state-of-the-art Joint Research Centre on Systems and Personalized Pharmacology.

According to the Institute of International Education, China ranked sixth among the top 20 destinations for American students studying abroad in 2016. Approximately 12,000 Americans were studying in China in 2015-2016.

3. Rich cultural experience

China has a lot to offer to its international candidates, not just in terms of education but also in terms of the rich cultural experience that it has to offer. China is the perfect place to witness the blend of modern and ancient culture; on one hand you’ll find high-rising skyscrapers, supermarkets, busy nightlife and modern transport, on the other hand you can see the natural beauty of the country that is surrounded by villages, lakes and islands.

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Chinese culture is diverse and multicultural and consists of around 56 different ethnicities. Studying in China gives you the kind of insight that just doesn’t come from textbooks. You will gain first-hand experience of how people live, what they eat and what they do for a living. Once you start interacting with people in China, you’ll have a better understanding and appreciation for Chinese culture and history.

4. Opportunity to learn the most-spoken language in the world

A majority of people in China speak Mandarin which is also the most spoken language in the world. When you apply to a Chinese university, most of them require you to be proficient in Mandarin language, but there are a few which offer an education in English. For those who do not know Mandarin, you can learn it in China from the locals and in classes for free without signing up for professional language classes. In addition to a variety of language learning activities offered in Chinese universities, cultural lectures with sessions on Chinese history, art and tradition are also carried out from time to time.

5. Employment advantage

China being one of the key players in world economy, generate lots of employment opportunities in various sectors. With an internship or job in China, you are sure to get exposure to top corporate culture and get hands-on experience in fields like engineering, medical, finance and pharmaceutical. With China’s advanced course structure, you can even opt for internships while studying to gather a richer learning experience.

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China’s growth has encouraged foreign investment and economic cooperation. But there is a language gap and in China there is a huge demand for people who can bridge this gap between China and the wider world. To bridge the gap, there is a huge demand for people speaking fluent Mandarin Chinese and if you can do it, you can be eligible for lucrative wages.

Next time you feel like studying abroad is not your cup of tea, remember to explore various options in China and choose your career accordingly. With the rapid growth China has shown overs the past 10-15 years, the time is not far when China give a tough competition to countries like US, UK and Germany which are the primary preferences for most students looking to study abroad.

About Shreoshe Ghosh

Shreoshe has been into content writing for more than a year now. An animal lover since childhood, you can find her watching movies or playing with her pet cat, when she’s not writing. She is also enthusiastic about cooking and enjoys trying her hand at new recipes often. She wishes to travel around the world someday and work for animal welfare.