From Giving Up College Entrance Examination to Misconceptions of Studying Abroad

“According to a report released by Ministry of Education in 2009, about 840,000 students give up plans to sit the college entrance exam, while the latest figure this year shows it has amounted to over one million. Big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing see a 20% sharp increase of high school graduates in favor of studying abroad......”

Xiong Binqi, Vice president of 21 Century Education Research Institute, professor of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said in the beginning of the forum. Mr. Xiong, based on his personal experiences, aslo made a summary of several misconceptions about overseas education.

First, many parents squeeze every penny out of their pocket to send their children overseas. The result is that many self-financed students suffered a higher pressure as they try very hard to find jobs to support themselves or simply pay back parents’ efforts. It would be better if parents just do what they can.

Second, every person is suitable to go abroad. “This only applies to students who are open-minded and have strong independent ability. Not for those who are not.”Mr. Xiong suggested.

Third, Some treat overseas education as an alternative way to go to famous schools abroad when they fail to get into good universities in china.

“It is unlikely in any country, as good universities usually have very strict assessment on students’ academic ability. It is not possible for students who have very poor acedemic perfomance to go to universities like harvard.”Said Mr. Xiong.

Fourth, universities overseas are better than those in china.

“Actually, they also have good and bad schools, it’s better to conduct a research before going out, as many irresponsible agencies, in order to make money, may send children to those bad ones. ”

The last one is that parents and students make the decision too quickly. “Many backgrounds goes like this, kids fail to reach the score required to enter into a four-year college, or fail to get into ideal major and refuse to take it, while their parents, worrying about the success possibility to have another year repeated, therefore decide to send their kids to study abroad.The decision is usually made only in one month.”