Zhang Qian

    zhqcindy@163.com

    “I FIRST came to China to travel, but after a few months touring the country, I decided to stay here and attend university in Shenzhen,” said a Russian Shenzhen University student in mandarin at a welcome ceremony Saturday.

    Like the Russian student, many international students are choosing to study at Shenzhen University.

    The university has received over 1,000 students from more than 90 countries this year, a record number since the university’s 1983 founding.

    “We are glad to have more than 1,000 new overseas students studying in different programs this year,” said Wang Qingguo, dean of the College of International Exchange. “The programs we offer include bachelor programs, graduate programs, exchange programs as well as Chinese-language courses.”

    Wang said many of the students are from South Korea.

    “We have more than 300 South Korean students this year and many of them are studying for undergraduate degrees,” said Wang.

    Large groups of students are from Russia, Ukraine or the United States.

    Though Wang is delighted to see over 1,000 new students this year, he said housing is a problem.

    “All of the students are living off-campus at the moment because the university has a shortage of housing and the international dormitory can only house around 300 students,” said Wang.

    In the next few years the housing situation should improve as one-third of the university’s faculties will move to Xili in Nanshan District.

    “Most of our students’ accommodation problems can be solved in two years after part of the university moves to the new campus,” said Wang during a speech.

    International students mainly come to study Chinese, but others are attending the University’s English-language program.

    “The College of International Exchange also offers an English-taught program called International Trade and Economics for international students who are interested in international business,” he said.

    The international business program costs students 20,000 yuan (US$3,138) per year, but a scholarship of 40,000 yuan is available for outstanding students.

    Wang said the city’s dynamic environment, good air quality and Mandarin as the lingua franca are the reasons international students choose Shenzhen.

    “The living conditions in Shenzhen are very good and it’s next to Hong Kong,” said Remi Langevin, a 24-year-old Canadian student, who already studied in Peking University Shenzhen Graduate College for one year.

    “I plan to advance my Chinese skills in Shenzhen University and hopefully can get a job here when I finish my course,” said Langevin.