International Students in Higher Education Institutions in the People’s Republic of China
Abstract
Data show an increase in the number of international students in higher education institutions globally, which coincides with a change in learning destinations. In the past, international students were concentrated in universities in Western countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. However, China has arisen as a competitor in attracting international students worldwide. The number of international students in higher education institutions in China has increased significantly in recent years, making it among the largest countries that host international students in its colleges. This descriptive research aims to identify international students in the People’s Republic of China and find the details and reasons that attract students to study in this Asian country. The research also seeks to discover the experiences and challenges of international students in higher education institutions in the People’s Republic of China. The study found that most international students in China are from Asian countries surrounding China. The results of the study also discovered that among the most prominent reasons that attracted international students to study in China were obtaining the scholarship offered by the Chinese government, the quality of higher education institutions in China, and the ease of obtaining admission and a study visa. One of the attractive reasons for international students to study in China was the low prices for living and studying there compared to other Western countries. The experiences of international students were generally positive, but they suffered from social and academic challenges.
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