Chinese families are keeping their college kids home. Washington is shutting off everyone else.

Summary

A viral Chinese Twitter post discusses the diminishing value of studying abroad, especially for Chinese students. Key points include high costs, declining ROI, and the suspicion surrounding STEM graduates. The post also highlights the challenges facing U.S. universities, which depend on international students, especially Chinese, for financial stability. However, with political tensions and stricter visa policies, enrollments from China and other countries are dropping. The post reflects on the potential consequences of these shifts for both Chinese families and American higher education, signaling a potential crisis ahead for U.S. colleges.

Takeaways

• 😀 China’s business executives believe sending young people abroad for study is increasingly futile due to declining returns on investment (ROI).
• 😀 The rising cost of tuition and living abroad makes overseas study unaffordable for many Chinese students.
• 😀 Chinese students pursuing STEM degrees abroad face suspicion, while degrees in non-STEM fields are seen as a waste of time and money.
• 😀 The most important employers in China are not hiring graduates from foreign universities.
• 😀 China, with its vast industrial base, is more focused on graduates who can work in fields like engineering, AI, and applied sciences.
• 😀 American universities heavily rely on international students, especially for funding STEM programs, as they pay significantly higher tuition fees.
• 😀 The decline in international students, particularly from China, is causing financial strain on American universities, leading to the closure of some campuses.
• 😀 U.S. universities face challenges finding new international students, particularly with falling enrollments from India and restrictions on certain countries.
• 😀 The U.S. government’s restrictions on student visas from some countries, including China and others, are causing a significant decrease in international student arrivals.
• 😀 In the first term of President Trump, a 25% drop in Chinese students in the U.S. resulted in a $1.1 billion annual loss for American higher education.
• 😀 The U.S. education sector, which is a rare surplus industry, is at risk of facing catastrophic losses as more countries are restricted and Chinese families are opting out of sending their children abroad.

Q & A

What is the main argument in the video regarding Chinese students studying abroad?

The video argues that the return on investment (ROI) for studying abroad is decreasing for Chinese students, as the costs are rising and the value of foreign degrees, especially in fields other than STEM, is being questioned in China.

Why are some Chinese students hesitant to study abroad, according to the video?

Chinese students are hesitant to study abroad due to rising tuition and living costs, a lack of job opportunities from foreign universities, and the perception that degrees from abroad, especially in non-STEM fields, may not be worth the investment.

What role do international students play in the financial health of U.S. universities?

International students, especially from China, contribute significantly to the financial health of U.S. universities by paying higher tuition fees. They help keep STEM programs running, as foreign students represent more than half of the enrollments in these fields.

How have recent U.S. policies impacted international student enrollment?

Recent U.S. policies, including visa restrictions and the executive order limiting access for students from countries sympathetic to Palestinians, have made it more difficult for international students to study in the U.S., leading to potential declines in enrollments.

How have U.S. universities been affected by the decline in Chinese students?

The decline in Chinese students has led to significant financial losses for U.S. universities, with a 25% drop in enrollment during President Trump's first term, which cost the higher education sector $1.1 billion annually just in tuition fees.

Why is China increasingly focused on domestic education and employment opportunities?

China's rapid development, particularly in industrial and technology sectors, means that graduates in fields like engineering, AI, and medicine are finding abundant local job opportunities, reducing the need for them to study abroad.

What is the concern regarding foreign STEM programs in the U.S.?

There is concern that without enough international students, particularly from China, U.S. universities will struggle to keep their STEM departments open due to financial difficulties. The decrease in international student enrollment is threatening the sustainability of these programs.

How does the video highlight the potential financial catastrophe for U.S. universities?

The video warns that with declining numbers of international students, particularly from China and India, U.S. universities could face a financial crisis. Many universities are already shutting down campuses or struggling to stay afloat without the influx of international tuition fees.

What impact has U.S. visa policies had on Indian student enrollment?

Visa policies, along with broader geopolitical tensions, have led to a predicted 70-80% drop in student arrivals from India, further compounding the enrollment issues faced by U.S. universities.

How has the overall international student market been affected by political shifts in the U.S.?

Political shifts in the U.S. have led to increasing restrictions on students from countries perceived as unfriendly, such as the executive order barring students from specific nations. This has caused anxiety among potential students, further reducing international student numbers.