Overseas Chinese Families Turning to Reverse Study Abroad: Returning to China for Language Learning

In recent years, many Chinese parents have been striving to send their children abroad for education, hoping for a Western-style education. Surprisingly, however, overseas Chinese families have started to consider sending their children back to China to receive education there. This reverse trend in studying abroad has become a hot topic among immigrant parents.

One example is Ms. Hu, who has been working in the UK for many years. When her younger son was just two and a half years old, she sent him back to China to attend kindergarten for a year.

Ms. Hu explained that she made this decision primarily for her child to learn Chinese. Sending her son back to China allowed him to be in a strong family environment with his grandparents and father, while also giving him the chance to experience traditional Chinese culture.

The main reason for sending children back to China is to learn Mandarin. According to Ms. Hu, when her son left for China, he could only say a few simple words, but when he returned to the UK, his ability to express himself in Chinese had improved significantly, and he could even recite some classical Chinese poetry.

This trend is also evident in the rising popularity of "root-seeking" summer camps for Chinese students abroad.

During the summer, many Chinese students in the UK participate in these camps, which help them make friends and deepen their understanding of China. David, who is about to start his second year at Cambridge University, recently returned from such a camp. He said that university students from both Shanghai and Taiwan joined the activities, and this experience significantly improved his Chinese language skills. Participating in these camps has become a crucial part of learning Mandarin for many second-generation overseas Chinese.

The Big Dilemma: To Stay or Go Back?

Should children receive a Chinese education or a Western education? This is a dilemma for many overseas Chinese families.

Ms. Liu, who immigrated to the U.S. and has a child in elementary school, is considering sending her child back to China to build a solid academic foundation. She believes that American education emphasizes freedom and openness, fostering creativity in children. However, Chinese education focuses on foundational knowledge, particularly in subjects like math, which Chinese elementary schools teach at a higher level than their American counterparts, where such topics are often only introduced in middle school. Ms. Liu struggles with whether to let her child enjoy a carefree childhood or to focus on building a strong academic foundation to get ahead of peers abroad.

Moreover, for most second-generation overseas Chinese, even if they study in China for a while, they eventually return to countries like the UK or the U.S. Parents worry about whether their children will be able to adapt to the significant cultural differences between China and their current home country.

Ms. Wang, an immigrant to the UK, faces this decision as her child approaches elementary school age. She had considered sending her child back to China for a while but ultimately decided against it, citing the unknown risks. "Chinese elementary education is solid, and kids the same age are already proficient in math. Watching my child fall behind their peers in China makes me anxious, but sending them back to China involves complicated procedures, and what happens when they return and have to readjust to life in the UK?"

Experts point out that the educational philosophies and values of China and the West differ significantly. Children may have difficulty judging these differences, which could impact their mental development if they grow up in such contrasting environments.

Gaining Skills and Boosting Employment Prospects

Xu Yun, a second-generation Chinese from the Philippines, has always been interested in Chinese culture. In 2010, she made the significant decision to study at a university in China. Her story reflects the experiences of thousands of overseas Chinese students who have flocked to China. Statistics show that in 2011, the number of international students in China exceeded 290,000, and by 2012, this figure had reached 328,000, with a large portion of these students being of Chinese descent.

The purpose of Chinese students studying in China can be boiled down to two main reasons: either they are interested in Chinese culture, or they want to learn Mandarin to improve their job prospects.

"China is rapidly rising on the global stage, and its domestic job market offers many opportunities, which is why I chose to study here. Even if I don't work in China, learning Mandarin gives me an advantage when job hunting back home," said Daisy, a Chinese student born and raised in Brazil. To improve her Chinese language skills, she decided to study in China. "Studying here is fascinating—not only do I get to see and experience the real China, but I’m also considering looking for work here. My time studying in China will undoubtedly help me land a good job."

The trend of sending children back to China for education, especially for learning Mandarin, is becoming increasingly popular. Whether it's participating in summer camps, attending Chinese universities, or simply spending time immersed in the culture, these experiences are helping second-generation Chinese overseas strengthen their ties to their ancestral homeland and open doors to future opportunities.