Chinese culture attracts more US students

Students from the United States are increasingly choosing China for undergraduate study, with about 35 percent of international freshmen at Duke Kunshan University, located in Jiangsu province, coming from the US. According to the university, Americans account for the largest cohort among its international student community.

International applications continue to rise, especially from US undergraduate applicants, even against the backdrop of a complex China-US relationship, said John Quelch, executive vice-chancellor and American president of DKU.

"The continued growth in international applications, especially from US applicants, despite a complex US-China relationship, shows that educational exchange remains one of the most resilient and promising ties between our two countries," Quelch said.

He added that more American students are recognizing the value of experiencing and understanding China firsthand, both because of its role in the global economy and because that comprehension may add value to their future careers.

"This experience builds knowledge, cross-cultural understanding, critical thinking and a sense of global responsibility," he said.

For Sara and Alejandra Salazar, siblings and students at DKU, the journey to China began long before university.

"Coming to China has been our dream since we were young, and to not only live here but also study here — with each other and with our parents — has truly been a dream come true," they said.