Despite dwindling numbers, educational exchanges help Chinese and American students break through the negative stereotypes of the other country
- Rick Dunham
- 21 hours ago
- 11 min read
Part 1 of a two-part series
By CORAZON SCHEPPY
Global Business Journalism reporter
It was a humid summer evening in Shanghai. The neon lights illuminated the crowded sidewalks as locals mingled in night markets. Charlie Howes, an American student at New York University Shanghai is cycling through the bustling streets near his university campus. This had become Howes’ routine since arriving in China. A few years earlier, his knowledge of China was limited to what he had read from media portrayals back home in South Dakota, many of which painted a bleak picture.
But for Howes, the most fascinating things are often the ones that feel the least accessible and hardest to understand. China stands out in this way, few young people in small-town America have spent time there. On top of that, going there isn’t easy. The distance and uncertainty only make it more intriguing. So, here he was, not only learning Mandarin but thriving in a completely different world.
His fluency in Mandarin and deepening understanding of Chinese culture, combined with his six-foot height and sharp features, gave him an advantage in the Chinese dating world. He often struck up conversations with new acquaintances in Mandarin, and his effortless mix of language skills and humor never failed to leave a lasting impression.
With all the uncertainty, why come?
“I had no significant mentions of China in any of my classes growing up,” Howes said. “Very little about the cultural heritage or global significance of China was ever communicated before I actually moved to China.”
The current tensions between China and the United States have created a sense of distrust. Before moving to China, Howes encountered overwhelmingly negative, often critical portrayals of China as being on the verge of collapse.
In 2019, Howes received a scholarship from the U.S. State Department to study at a public high school in Beijing for a year, where he focused on learning Mandarin. After completing his junior year in China, he returned to the United States for his senior year of high school but soon applied to New York University Shanghai. During the college application process, he also applied to several universities in the United States, knowing that NYU Shanghai is highly competitive. But he always saw it as his first choice.
Howes’ mother, Jessa Howes, knew that ever since her son spent a year in China for high school, he would find his way back. She just didn’t know when. So, she kept herself busy, waiting for the moment that would confirm what she had already sensed.
That day, she was at home, going about her routine, when he walked in.
“Mom,” he said, and she could tell immediately he knew. “I got in.”
For a second, she froze. In a rare moment of emotion, she collapsed onto the kitchen floor. Howes’ mother wasn’t usually dramatic, but this was different.
The bigger picture
Howes’ story is just one among the 1,100 American students currently studying in China. According to a 2024 report from the American Chamber of Commerce in China, the number of American students enrolled in universities on the Chinese mainland has dropped precipitously, from 11,639 in 2018-2019 to just 211 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although this figure rebounded slightly to approximately 1,100 in 2024-2025, it remains a contrast to the nearly 290,000 mainland Chinese students studying in the United States, according to a 2024 article in The Economist, 2024.
But despite the dwindling numbers of Americans in China, these internationally minded young people from both countries often report that their experiences shatter the negative media stereotypes of the other country. While political tensions between their nations run high, these people-to-people exchanges maintain a human link that has kept the bilateral relationship going through diplomatic crises, the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainties of two Trump presidencies.
American students studying in China generally fall into three main categories. The first includes those enrolled in joint programs like NYU Shanghai, Duke Kunshan, or the University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong partnership. The second consists of Americans in prominent Chinese programs that attract large groups, such as Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University or Yenching Academy at Peking University. The third category is made up of students participating in semester-long study-abroad programs, like the 25 University of Chicago students who studied in Beijing during fall 2024. Combined, these groups total around 1,100 American students in China in 2025, according to the U.S. Embassy.
There’s no official breakdown of how this data is calculated. The only explanation comes from Max Harrington, a Public Diplomacy Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. He explained that the count defines “young Americans” as anyone between 13 and 45 years old. Out of the 50,000 American students invited to study in China, the reported 14,000 includes everyone long-term and short-term students, plus those on tourist visits as short as a week.
Howes chose to return to China because at the moment, in terms of historical timing, he saw it as like a critical moment for the two most powerful countries in the world that have both collaborate and competed at the juncture where the future will be defined. And he wants to be part of it.
Over the years, Howes’ experiences in China have fostered a deep appreciation and love for the country and its culture. Looking ahead, he plans to stay in Shanghai after graduation, where he co-founded a company with another American and will further develop his professional career in the city.
Howes’ leap of faith: Studying in China despite barriers
“At the beginning, my Mandarin was really bad, I felt lost,” he said. “I’m speak English and Spanish, but learning Mandarin has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
Language was just the start. Mandarin is often called one of the hardest languages for native English speakers to learn, and for good reason. The tones mean a single word can take on completely different meanings depending on how you say it, and the characters require memorizing thousands of forms, meanings, and pronunciations. Even the grammar, which can be straightforward at times, depends so much on context that a small mistake can completely change a sentence.
For many American students, though, studying in China isn’t even on the table. Travel warnings, negative media coverage, and parental concerns have made it feel like too much of a risk.
The U.S. Department of State had a Level 3 travel advisory for China (lowered to Level 2 in November 2024), telling Americans to “reconsider travel” due to risks it cited like arbitrary law enforcement and restricted consular access. Some U.S. universities, like the University of North Carolina, have even suspended their China study-abroad programs. Between reports of surveillance, visa issues, and rising diplomatic tensions, fewer and fewer students are making the leap.
It leads to the concern that China isn’t a safe place for their kids. But for many, it’s not just about politics, it’s about the policies and reactions the governments would come up that would make it hard for them to see their child. If something happens, will they be able to reach their child? How long would it take?
“For me, the biggest concern was access,” said Jessa. “It’s unsettling to have a government in between you and your child if something happens.”
Programs bridging the gap
Educational programs have been instrumental in bridging cultural gaps. President Xi Jinping’s pledge in 2023 to welcome 50,000 young Americans to China over the next five years marked a significant initiative. As China Daily mentioned in 2024, China hosted over 14,000 visits by American students in the program’s first year alone.
Short-term programs, such as those offered by the Young Envoys Scholarship (YES), provide opportunities for high school and college students to experience China in manageable, focused visits. These programs often include cultural tours, language lessons, and internship programs.
The China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) is the main coordinator. It is tasked by the Chinese government to manage education exchange programs, for instance, issuing invitation letters to groups of American high school and college students to come to China for short-term programs and giving out scholarships.
Some see short-term programs as insufficient for deep cultural understanding. Yes, while they can offer a glimpse into life in China and spark curiosity, they rarely give enough time for students to build the language skills, relationships, or a full understanding needed to understand the country. A week or two of structured activities might feel more like tourism rather than a meaningful exchange, leaving participants with surface-level impressions rather than the deeper insights that come from living and studying in a place long-term.
Short-term programs can still be an eye-opener for a lot of people. Of course, the ideal is a long-term student who’s fully committed, someone who’s diving into Mandarin, becoming an expert on China, and really engaging with the culture. That’s the gold standard. However, getting to that point often starts with just sparking an initial interest. Sometimes, all it takes is a short trip to plant the seed.
“There’s absolutely value in a program like this, especially with the 50,000-student goal, it’s about creating opportunities and opening doors for kids who might not otherwise consider China at all,” said Max Harrington. “Sometimes, all it takes is that initial exposure to spark long-term interest.”
One-week trip to Xinjiang: A different side of China
The U.S. Embassy isn’t alone in recognizing the value of short-term programs in fostering communication and broadening perspectives, China’s Ministry of Education, the Xinjiang Foreign Affairs Office, and top universities have also organized trips for students already in the country, aiming to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture.
For many Americans, Xinjiang is a place they’ve only ever heard about in news reports. But for a group of 26 American students studying in Chinese universities, the reality of Xinjiang came to life in an entirely different way.
In 2025, from January 12 to 18, these students, studying at various universities including Tsinghua, Peking, and Renmin University, went on a week-long exchange trip to Xinjiang. Over seven packed days, they explored historical sites, and saw firsthand the region’s landscapes, cultural diversity, and economic development.
The trip was a rare opportunity, but while the breathtaking scenery, rich history, and welcoming locals left many with a deeper appreciation for the region, there was also an undeniable sense of being watched.
First Impressions
Before arriving in Xinjiang, the students had a general idea of what their itinerary would look like, like visits to historical sites and plenty of local food. But one of their first stops was unexpected: a visit to an exhibition on China’s anti-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts.
Photography wasn’t allowed, and the exhibit’s videos, images, and displays were intense. Some students were visibly shaken by what they saw.
“The videos were too real,” Sarah, a pseudonym, from Tsinghua University said. “At one point I covered my eyes because it was too much.”
After that, the itinerary settled into what they had anticipated. They visited multiple museums, historic ruins, and rural communities that presented China’s preservation efforts. At the Xinjiang Museum, they marveled at well-preserved artifacts dating back to the Qin dynasty. In Turpan, they explored the ancient ruins of Jiaohe, the underground irrigation system of Karez, and the iconic Emin Minaret. They saw up close how China was investing in rural development and heritage conservation.
“The historical sites here are incredible,” Sarah said. “I didn’t realize how much effort goes into preserving them.”
Close encounters
By the third day, after a long day after settling down in Kuqa, six of them decided to take a short walk outside their hotel, eager to explore.
As they stepped out into the cold night, they noticed two or three tall men near the hotel entrance watching them. At first, they thought nothing of it, perhaps just locals curious about foreigners. But as they walked further, stopping at a MIXUE Ice Cream (蜜雪冰城) shop for a late-night treat, the feeling lingered.
“Guys, two men have been following us,” one student finally said. “Since we left the hotel.”
People started to wander about who these men were. Were they curious locals, thieves, or plainclothes police? They weren’t trying to hide at all.
To find out, two students split off and ducked into a closed shopping arcade, hiding in the shadows of a staircase. From there, they watched as the two men continued trailing the rest of the group. So they’re watching the group, not individuals.
Tired from the day’s travel, the group eventually ended up at a small bar. The bar had a modern feel, run by two Han Chinese staff members: a young bartender and a tattooed woman in her 60s who sat smoking in the corner.
They pushed a few tables together, ordered drinks and snacks, and tried to unwind. But when one student stepped outside for fresh air, she immediately turned back when she sees a group of people standing outside.
The bartender reassured them.
“Don’t worry,” he said, pointing to an emergency button on the wall. “This is a panic alarm. If anything happens, police will be here in less than two minutes.”
Xinjiang’s security presence is everywhere. Police stations, patrol cars, and flashing lights on nearly every street. The region’s geopolitical significance makes safety a top priority. Located at the heart of the Eurasian continent, Xinjiang borders eight countries, making it a strategic hub for China’s Belt and Road Initiative. It is also one of China’s most resource-rich provinces, home to vast reserves of oil, gas, and minerals. But its history has also been marked by instability, which explains the government’s heightened focus on security.
Over breakfast next day, Sarah casually asked one of the staff with the trip organizers about the men who had followed them. The response was simple: “They’re local police.”
While the tight security measures made some uneasy, most students walked away with a new perspective. The trip had given them the chance to see a side of China they would never have understood otherwise. Most said they would come back. And this is how short-term programs like this serve their purpose, they offered these Americans a chance to experience China.
Comparisons with Chinese students in the U.S.
Life in a foreign country is always full of surprises. Just as these American students were gaining a more comprehensive view of China, Chinese students studying in the United States were undergoing their own adjustments, confronting realities that didn’t always align with what they had heard before arriving.
Halfway across the world, Keke Yu, a Chinese student at the University of California San Diego, found that her experience in the United States was also quite different from what she had seen in the media.
“I was terrified to knock on a stranger’s door because I knew how strict the U.S. laws were about trespassing,” said Yu, when shortly after she arrival and got lost when trying to look for the grocery store.
With no working phone and a limited understanding of her surroundings, she faced a decision: ask for help or continue wandering.
Both China and the United States have spread negative images about one another, largely through media and political rhetoric. In the U.S., portrayals of China often emphasize authoritarianism, lack of freedoms, and geopolitical threats. Similarly, in China, state media frames the U.S. as a declining superpower intent on containing China’s rise. These depictions create a foundation of skepticism for students on both sides before they even arrive in their host country.
Yu chose a house with a “friendly-looking” door and knocked. The response was not what she had feared. The homeowner warmly invited her inside, offered her tea, and drove her to the supermarket to help her gather what she needed.
“They even wrote down their phone number in case I needed help again.” said Yu.
Similarly, over the past five years of living in China Howes’ perspective transformed completely. Through extensive travel across the country using every mode of transportation available, and countless interactions with locals, he began to see a different side of China.
“I didn’t really understand how the country worked or how the minds of Chinese people operated,” he said. “I have thousands of stories of times when a Chinese person has helped me figure something out, whether it be someone fixing my bicycle or saving me from wasting my money on something.”
The experiences of Yu and Howes demonstrate the power of direct personal experiences. Educational exchanges between the U.S. and China are not just about academics; they are about creating opportunities for individuals to see past stereotypes and form their own understanding of the world.
“Current U.S.-China political narratives are totally bogus and do not represent my personal experiences, having lived in both countries for a long time.” said Howes. “I will probably live here for the rest of my life.”
Part 1: Despite dwindling numbers, educational exchanges help Chinese and American students break through the negative stereotypes of the other country