And, although these are university-level statistics, there is promise that this trend will continue to trickle down to K-12 campuses. It is theorized that due to the one child mandate, Chinese parents are investing their wealth in their one-child—and this includes sending their child overseas to receive an American education.
The number of international students exceeded the past-peak enrollment year, 2002-2003, by 14.5%. In 2008-2009, undergraduate enrollment rose 11%. Graduate enrollment only increased 2%. Overall, the number of international students at colleges and universities in the U.S. increased by 8%—671,616—the largest percentage increase in more than 25 years.
As the recession drags on, the influx of international students presents promise for the economy. The growing disposable income in China is being amalgamated as students invest not just in tuition, but also in retail shopping trends that feed the U.S. economy.
Adding more promise is the growing interest in liberal arts studies. The book, A True Liberal Arts Education by three Chinese undergraduates, describes the concept of liberal arts, which was relatively unknown in China.
