中美期待更多教育交流

It's a busy afternoon for Zhao Dan, the project manager of an American company Initial View based in Beijing.

Whilst working at a company which conducts independent interviews to anyone who wants to prove their language skills, Zhao Dan has noticed the increasing number of foreign students learning Chinese.

Her point is echoed by Jack Tipper and Kripa Bhagat, two of the six American students that Zhao Dan is scheduled to interview today.

"I've been learning Chinese for three years. I'm glad I started, though the process is a bit difficult. But I think I've learned a lot. Now I can communicate with Chinese people, it's awesome. With the opening up and reform, the influence of Chinese is getting stronger. In western countries, more and more people are getting to know about Chinese culture, which benefits relations between our two countries."

"My only purpose in Beijing is to study Chinese. I'm very interested in learning languages. To those who are learning economics and business, they should choose to learn Chinese, because it will definitely contribute a lot to their futures. Also I think more and more high schools in America should set up Chinese programs."

The number of US students in China has been increasing since the 1990s, during which time only several thousand Americans were studying in China.

The booming trend is largely backed by a project initiated by US President Barack Obama in 2010, when he pledged to send 100-thousand students to China within four years.

That project is due to meet its goal by the end of this year.

Beside language studies, more US students are also choosing to study economics or management courses at Chinese universities.

Meanwhile, the US has long been an attractive location for Chinese students.

Initial View spotted their opportunity at an early stage.

Zhao Dan says since its first cooperation project with Georgia Tech in 2011, the company's business has boomed in the following years.

"So like before, the number of Chinese applicants was less than a hundred. But that year they saw a huge growth, and applicant numbers rose up to a thousand-something. Till now two cycles have passed, the institutions we've been working with, the number has been added up to 180. Next year, we are looking for ... well, we are expecting more."

In the 2012-2013 academic year, American higher institutions enrolled 55-thousand more international students than the previous year, 75-percent of which came from China.

It is also the ninth consecutive year marking an increase in the total number of Chinese students studying at the U.S. universities.

With the growing bilateral exchange, Zhao Dan has also noticed a number of problems caused by cultural differences.

Her latest project involves compiling a handbook for American admission officers.

"A lot of the admission officers, they have this campus tour during non-admission circles. So we are trying to get as much information as possible for them. When they travel they can bring the handbook."

The handbook consists of basic information on Chinese high schools, such as their names, courses, affiliated relations and reputations.

Zhao says the handbook will help clear up some of the more common misunderstandings experienced by admission officers when looking at resumes provided by Chinese students.

"Transparency as our first goal, we are trying to figure out the way to reduce the misunderstanding. So we feel like maybe a handbook for admission officers would be very useful."

Zhao Dan regards her work as a channel between the ordinary people of the two countries.

She says the Sino-U.S. relationship imposes great influence on her work and the company's future.

"When this relationship is going on really well, Chinese students are still going out, more American students are coming to China. Of course it will benefit our business. I'm pretty confident in the future Chinese and American relationship. Also I think my job is pretty much based on that political environment. If we break it, break up, that something happens, I don't think our company will go on, you know. Our company, our business is pretty much based on the relationship, like we are one part of the relationship."

Her idea is shared by her boss, Terry Crawford.

"Our business stands at the nexus of the cooperation between China and the US. The more flow there is, the human capital between the two countries, we of course continue to benefit. And at the same time, we hope our service benefit that flow of people. That it, something that increases understanding, increases transparency between the institutions and each of the countries."

While studying for her Master's degree, Zhao Dan got the chance to teach Chinese in South Korea for a year.

It was a perfect opportunity for a linguist, according to Zhao Dan.

But she chose to turn down the chance at the very last minute.

Zhao Dan said she has never regretted her choice.

"I never regret my choice because I really enjoy working here. And also I feel like it's very promising. The company is very promising. There's gonna be a good future for this company. I'm really happy that I have a chance to join this."

Over the past 35 years, nearly 1.5 million Chinese students have studied in America, whilst over 220-thousand American students have experienced a different kind of education in China.

The education exchange between these two global powerhouses is expected to gain momentum.

For CRI, I'm Stuart Wiggin.