USA Immigration News

Increase in Number of Chinese Students in Iowa

There has been a spike in the number of Chinese students applying for Iowa universities, according to officials.

The number of Chinese undergraduate enrollments for Iowa State University (ISU) increased from 72 in 2003 to 1,212 students in 2012. University of Iowa (UI) also saw a big surge of Chinese students, rising from 591 students in 2005 to 1,731 in 2011. Director of ISU's International Students and Scholars Office, James Dorsett explained that the rise was led by a growing Chinese middle class and the growing ability of families in China to afford to send students to the U.S. Additionally, many Chinese families now believe that their children can benefit from good education and a strong proficiency in English by studying in the U.S.

According to Russell Ganim, director of UI's Division of World Languages, although Chinese universities have become more competitive recently, the tough entry requirements in China pushed more students to opt for Western institutions.

"While there's a huge selection of universities in China, there are so many students at college age who cannot get into Chinese universities that they have to seek opportunities in the U.S., Canada, the UK and elsewhere," Ganim added. "You could call it education outsourcing in reverse."

Easier visas for students from China can also make studying in the U.S. more attractive. Patricia Parker, associate director of admissions at ISU, stated that the visa application standard used to be very high in the past few years. It is easier now for Chinese to get a U.S. visa and universities are working hard to welcome more Chinese students in Iowa, Ms. Parker added.

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