Increase in Chinese International Students at KU

Candy Chen was in her first year of college in China when she received a phone call that changed her world: her parents were sending her to the U.S. to study.

"I felt like my dream came true," Chen, now in her first year at the University said. "My parents believed that an American education was better for me."

At KU, the number of Chinese international students has significantly increased, rising some 65 percent, from 260 to 428 in the last year, according to the Office of Institutional Research and Planning. Most international students at the University pay out of state tuition. KU is not the only university to see a boost in students from China. Other area universities, such as Kansas State University, have seen similar rises. The number of Chinese students at K-State has doubled.

Jim Lewis, director of international pre-admissions and recruiting for K-State, said the number of Chinese students coming to K-State for the fall 2009 semester will probably be larger than the number that came for the fall 2008 semester.

"In the case of China, many undergraduates are coming now because of the booming Chinese economy and a relaxation of American policy on granting student visas to students from China," said Chuck Seibel, the director of the Applied English Center, where foreign students take English as a Second Language classes.

"These are related: the U.S. hesitates to give visas to students from struggling economies because of a fear that they may plan on becoming economic refugees," he said.

Chen is an international student studying at the University of Kansas to attain a degree in psychology. Before she can pursue her degree, she must take classes through the Applied English Center to better her written and oral English.

"I have to improve," Chen said. "There are so many new words to learn."

This fall, 383 international students are enrolled in AEC classes as compared to its highest number, 401, in 1991. From 2007 to 2008 enrollment at the AEC increased by 19 percent.

"The primary goal is to teach English as a second language," Seibel said. "If they are not native English speakers, or their English is not good enough, they have to take AEC classes."

In the summer of 2007, Mark Algren, associate director of the AEC, and his recruiting team focused its efforts in China. With China's flourishing economy, more and more families are looking to send their children to the U.S. The two week trip was organized by KU and sent them to different cities in China such as: Beijing, Wuhan, Hong Kong and Macau. During that time they made connections with schools and recruiting agents and shared with them more about the U.S. educational system and information about KU.

"We established a personal relationship with students in China," Algren said. "Students make choices based on people they meet. We want to make a connection. We don't want to be just another page in a book with a pretty picture."

Source: Office of Institutional Research and Planning

According to Open Doors, a comprehensive informational resource on international students in the U.S., the number of international students at colleges and universities in the U.S. increased to a record high seven percent in the 2007 and 2008 academic year. This exceeded the previous high of six percent reported in 2002 and 2003. Nationally, China increased its sending of students to American universities by 20 percent from 2006 to 2008.

Source: Office of Institutional Research and Planning

Sandra Tompson Issa, a language specialist at the AEC, enjoys not only teaching language to international students, but also giving them insight into the American culture. She also sees a benefit for domestic students in having international students at KU.

A significant reason why international students are drawn to mid-western universities over the East Coast or West Coast is not based on location.

It's not the weather, that's for sure," Issa said. "I've heard students say they feel this is a safe part of the country- fairly quiet, low crime rate."

Another draw for foreign students is that KU does not require a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score for undergraduate admission.

"Students with good academic credentials but with English deficiencies can be admitted and then work on their English proficiency after getting here at the AEC," Seibel said.

KU has a variety of events, clubs and programs to help international students adjust to life in the U.S. Michael Ediger, associate director of advising and orientation for International Student and Scholar Services, said their office hosts a week-long "You at KU" orientation program each fall and spring semester. He said international student groups like the International Student Association, typically host some sort of welcome event for all international students. Nationality clubs like the Brazilian Student Association, KU Cultural India Club, Chinese Students and Scholars Friendship Association, and Hong Kong and Macau Students Association, typically organize activities to welcome students from their respective countries.

Issa believes that the economy will determine whether the number of Chinese international students will continue to increase in the future. She said she is optimistic that now that the door is open and Chinese students have started coming that they will continue to come.

Chen said she has not yet decided if she will return to China after graduating. For now, she is concentrating on her studies and liking the change of scenery in Kansas.

"I enjoy being at KU," Chen said. "It's a pretty university, especially in the spring."