Study Abroad in China

[Anonymous]

No way. I might consider HK or taiwan, but not mainland china.

[Anonymous]

No way in hell. Why you even consider encouraging this OP?

[Anonymous]

I would not send my child there.

[Anonymous]

Very bad idea. HK too, sadly.

Taiwan is the best option. The only one for real immersion in Mandarin Chinese at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:State Department has it at a Level 3 due to arbitrariness of government denying exits. My bigger fear would be another COVID type lockdown. How would you advise your child?

I would advise my child to avoid China and visit Taiwan or Singapore instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you do it, do not bring any of your normal electronics because the government will install spyware on them (without you knowing).

Bring a burner phone and a cheap laptop that you throw away at the end.

Not joking.

True. Including if you pass through a Chinese airport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - Taiwan program doesn't deliver the same. Child has been to China before and loved it so really wants to return and become fluent in Chinese. Would definitely buy electronics to trash before returning. This is a low-key and responsible kid who doesn't drink much or do other things. There are other options but this would be a unique opportunity. But yes - the fear of government crackdown is real.

Taiwan has some fantastic programs. Look at Taipei.

Sorry, but you would be crazy to send your kid to China as a student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Phone taps for tourists as well as students?

Yes.

Everyone who flies into China will come home with a nice gift of spyware on all devices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hong Kong?

Owned by China now, unfortunately

[Anonymous]

At this point I wouldn't even visit China. My friend had traveled there frequently until last Fall, when she saw a marked increase in security checks (show us your papers - random checks as she walked down the street). Pass, for us.

[Anonymous]

Hopkins has a campus in China, with about 70 international students and 100 Chinese students there at any given time. I would consider that or a similar highly structured program. https://sais.jhu.edu/academics/certificate-summer-and-non-degree-programs/certificate-chinese-and-american-studies-0

[Anonymous]

OP, do you have an evacuation plan for when they start a war and/or decide to start beating up random foreigners?

[Anonymous]

OP, are you a fed, military or defense contractor? Do you work in the government in any capacity?

If so, then sending your kid to China is a spectacularly bad idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you do it, do not bring any of your normal electronics because the government will install spyware on them (without you knowing).

Bring a burner phone and a cheap laptop that you throw away at the end.

Not joking.

This definitely happens, and it could be used to infect their university network.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not send my child to China. What about Taiwan?

+1. I would not allow my DC to go to China. They do not have an truly independent legal system. Anyone could be arrested and jailed without cause at any time if the Communist Party feels like it. One could get lucky, but it just is not predictably safe.