Why are there fewer Chinese students going to the United States?

In addition to the epidemic, there are three other reasons: the situation in the United States is a bit chaotic, policy trends have changed rapidly, and the hardness of diplomas has declined rapidly.

1. The numbers don’t lie

On the one hand, the total number is declining, and on the other hand, the overall proportion is strong. How should we explain it? Some people say that the epidemic has a great impact, some say that the attractiveness of the United States has declined, and some say that studying abroad is unnecessary. Are these statements reliable? I don't think it's entirely reliable, at least.

The impact of the epidemic is indeed great. Among other things, it is difficult to find flight tickets, prices are soaring, visa applications are restricted, and there are worries about the risk of infection, which makes many students unable to study in the United States.

The attractiveness of the United States is indeed declining, but American higher education is not without merit. On the contrary, it is far ahead of the country in many aspects. I think that studying in the United States is really not necessary for those students who want to get a diploma; it is still necessary for those students who want to further their studies.

2. The situation in the United States is a bit chaotic

What is the current situation in the United States? First, the president has changed, and policies have changed dramatically; second, the epidemic has not been eliminated, and people’s opinions are not consistent; third, the pursuit of equal rights has led to dozens of genders; fourth, conflicts have intensified, and international students are no longer safer than before.

Some people say that the situation in the United States is that the states are falling apart and falling apart. I think this is biased. The individual states are no longer independent in their own affairs. The turmoil in the past two years has intensified the conflicts, but it has not reached the point of falling apart. However, various conditions in the United States have indeed caused many international students to "wait and see" or "not go".

3. The policy trend has changed rapidly

Since Trump took office, the United States has implemented "differential control" on Chinese students. Why is there a difference? Controls are extremely strict for publicly funded international students, students from institutions directly under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and students who go to the United States to study science and engineering, especially high-tech and advanced technical subjects. For students in humanities and social sciences, there are not so many restrictions.

After Biden took over, he signed presidential decrees one after another, repealing many of his predecessor’s measures overnight, but there was no significant change in the “differentiated control” of mainland students. This situation has resulted in many international students being unable to go.

4. The hardness of diplomas is declining rapidly

Let’s just say that five years ago, international students were still widely sought after. They went abroad to make a fortune and could enjoy all kinds of things when they came back. Preferential offers: civil service positions, university teaching positions, talent introduction, priority recruitment, generous remuneration...

Looking at recent years, employers from within the system to outside the system have opened their eyes and revised their policies. The treatment of international students has changed from "widely accepted" to "under scrutiny". Many people go abroad either to learn something or to get rich. Under the current circumstances, the cost-effectiveness of going abroad no longer seems that high to them, so they naturally “don’t want to leave.”