More Overseas Students are coming to China

More than 375,000 students arrived on the Chinese mainland from around the world for studies last year, a 5.77 percent increase over 2014, the Ministry of Education said on Thursday.
Qingdao University.
The 377,054 students came from 203 countries and regions, according to figures released by the ministry.

The numbers coming from Oceania and Africa last year increased dramatically, but those coming from the Americas fell a little.

A total of 6,272 students came from Oceania, a 32.24 percent increase year-on-year, while the number of those from Africa - 41,677 - rose by 24.93 percent from 2014. The numbers coming from the Americas dropped by 2.45 percent, but the ministry did not give a reason for this.

Some students said they came to study in China because they were attracted by the country's political and economic development.

James Mwita, 30, from Kenya, said: China has a system that is working, and its political system is efficient. Its economic and social developments are impressive, and I hope my country can emulate them.

Many international students also said they decided to study in China because of the significant amount of financial support from the Chinese authorities and universities.

Asheida Charles, 29, from the Caribbean nation of Grenada is one example. Charles, who arrived in September, is studying international communication at Communication University of China. I chose China because of the attractive scholarship package offered to international students, she said. The quality of education is also impressive.

Chen Zhiwen, chief editor of eol.cn, China's largest education portal, said African and Oceanian students' interest in China began late, leading to an apparent increase in students from the two regions coming to study in the country in recent years.

On the other hand, the number of students from the Americas, especially from the US, has continued to grow for quite a few years.

Qingdao profile

Qingdao, located in the southeast part of Shandong Province, is a major seaport, naval base, industrial center and also the home to Qingdao Beer and Haier. Reputed as "Oriental Switzerland" and "Asian Geneva", Qingdao is famous for the red roofs, green trees, blue sea, and azure sky. In 2009, Qingdao was named China's most livable city for its clean environment and agreeable ocean climate. As a former colonial enclave once under Germany and then Japanese rule, Qingdao has preserved a large number of architectures and areas in former foreign styles. In 2008, as Beijing’s partner for Olympic Games, Qingdao was the host city for the 2008 Summer Olympics Sailing Regatta

Qingdao University is located on the south facing coast of the Shandong Peninsula. It borders three prefecture-level cities, namely Yantai to the northeast, Weifang to the west, and Rizhao to the southwest. The city's total jurisdiction area occupies 10,654 square kilometers (4,114 sq mi). The populated sections of the city are relatively flat while mountains spur up within city limits and nearby. The highest elevation in the city is 1,133 meters (3,717 ft) above sea level. 15.5% of the total area is highland, while the foothill, plain and lowland areas constitute 25.1%, 37.8% and 21.7%. The city has a 730.64 kilometers (454.00 mi) coastline. Five significant rivers that flow for more than 50 kilometers (31 mi) can be found in the region.

Qingdao has a temperate, four-season, monsoon-influenced climate that falls on the borderline between humid subtropical and humid continental. Winter is cool to cold and windy, but generally dry; with a January average of 0.9 °C (30.4 °F). Summer is generally hot and humid, but very hot days are rare, with an August average of 25.3 °C (77.5 °F). Due to its proximity to the coast and being on a peninsula, it experiences a one-month delayed spring compared to most inland areas of China. Conversely, autumn is milder than inland areas in Shandong. The water temperature peaks at about 25 °C (77 °F) in late August, with swimming possible two months on either side.

Welcome to study in China!

Jinan Education

Jinan City carries out a strategy of rejuvenating the city by developing on science and education. There were toyally 46 technological centers, among which 8 are state-level and 14 are provincial-level. In addition, 39 high tech enterprises were newly approved. Education has been prospering in Jinan. Nowadays it has ranked among the most advanced cities nationwide in terms of quality-oriented education; including 20 institutes of higher learning and 26 polytechnic schools.

The government has worked out various strategies to attract international students in the past 10 years. For instance, the International School (IS) of Qingdao University, based on the policy of offering higher educational needs of overseas Chinese and foreigners, has attracted numerous international students to pursue their study here. It is a comprehensive, public institution with flexible modes of learning, which can encourage innovation in information and communication technologies, as well as peer interaction. All of the courses are taught in English and provide a truly international classroom and learning environment. Nowadays, IS has cooperated with numerous institutions in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. In addition, Shandong University has attached great importance to international exchanges and cooperation, and has established extensive academic ties internationally. So far it has established cooperation with more than 120 universities in over 40 countries and regions. It is among the first universities in China’s mainland to accept international students and to offer Chinese programs to them. Since 1980, the university has accepted international students from over 100 countries, and currently, it has more 2,000 regular international students.

As a renowned city with thousands of years of cultural deposit, Jinan has established a complete set of education system. Many famous universities are located in Jinan, the superior ones are among the following:

Shandong University
Shandong Normal University
University of Jinan
Shandong Institute of Business and Technology
Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

To attract foreign students, the local government has set various scholarships. For example, Shandong University Scholarship is set up by Shandong University, in order to encourage international students to come to study at Shandong University. Outstanding international students are encouraged to apply for the scholarship provided in Jinan. Excellent international students studying in Jinan University can apply for scholarship for advanced study, general post-graduate students (master and doctor), etc.

Welcome to study in China!